A more contagious and aggressive mutation of COVID-19, known as the delta variant, is spreading throughout the world, including the United States, where it is already the dominant version of the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). for its acronym in English).
The three vaccines approved in the United States protect against this strain of the virus, as shown by scientific studies and insisted by federal authorities.
However, in the case of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both doses are necessary to have that immunity.
Johnson & Johnson requires only one dose, but that has sparked a new discussion: If another dose were needed in the next few months to boost immunity, could those vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson get a dose of Pfizer or Moderna?
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Although some experts recommend seeking a booster,
federal health authorities maintain their guideline not to combine vaccines
.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) began a study in June to determine if mixing different COVID-19 vaccines is safe and if they can prolong immunity and better protect people from variants of the virus.
The study will involve 150 people fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson, all of whom will receive a booster of Moderna's vaccine.
The first results of the research are expected by the end of the summer, the NIH reported.
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"Although the vaccines currently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] offer strong protection against COVID-19, we must prepare for the possibility of needing booster shots to counter declining immunity and maintain the rate of an evolving virus, "said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
In recent days, some health professionals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine made their decision to seek a booster for another vaccine public.
One such person is Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Georgetown University's Center for Global Health Science and Security.
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"We know that Johnson & Johnson's single-dose regimen is highly protective against severe disease, but not as much protective against symptomatic disease as messenger RNA [the basis of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines], which means that it is less protective against infection, ”Rasmussen wrote on June 22 to explain why he sought a Pfizer vaccine booster in Canada, where he lives.
However, your decision needs context.
When she made her announcement, the effectiveness of Johnson & Johnson's delta variant vaccine was unclear.
The data published on July 1 by its manufacturer indicates that the vaccine does have a high level of protection against this strain and the immunity can last at least 8 months.
"The study has not yet been published and scientists have not yet seen this data to be able to evaluate this claim. But for now we have hope," epidemiologist Sandra Albrecht, a professor at Columbia University in New York, told Noticias Telemundo.
Several people were waiting to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 8, 2021, during an event at La Bonita Market, a Hispanic grocery store in Las Vegas, Nevada. John Locher / AP
Experts estimate that the delta variant, detected for the first time in India, is between 40% and 60% more contagious than the rest.
Fauci calls it "the greatest threat" to eliminate COVID-19 in the United States.
A recent study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet examined the impact of the delta variant in Scotland, where it has become the dominant strain.
The researchers found that the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 doubled among patients infected with that strain, compared with those infected with the alpha variant.
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Despite the positive results of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine against the delta variant, its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 remains slightly lower than those of Pfizer and Moderna.
Clinical trials for approval in the United States show 72% efficacy, although in Latin America and South Africa the figure was lower (66% and 57% respectively).
The effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna in preventing symptomatic disease is 95% and 94% respectively, based on their clinical trials.
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In any case, experts continue to advise those who received the Johnson & Johnson injection to follow the judgment of federal authorities before seeking a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine booster.
"If the FDA and CDC approve a change in policy, it seems entirely appropriate to me to consider its use as a booster for Johnson & Johnson," John Moore, professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said. Politifact verification website.
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Epidemiologists Ricardo Castillo-Neyra and Sandra Albrecht answered some questions from Noticias Telemundo that could give you more clarity on this matter and the importance of being vaccinated:
If I have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, should I look for a delta variant booster?
“For now it is not recommended.
The safety and efficacy of vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently being studied.
[...] Some experts believe that for immunosuppressed or elderly people it may be safer to receive a booster.
It's best to make this decision after a discussion with your doctor, who will help you weigh the risks and benefits, ”Albrecht said.
“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is highly effective in preventing hospitalizations, which is what matters most.
But, there is no information that the combination of Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer increases protection against the delta variant ”, explained Castillo-Neyra.
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Is it safe to combine COVID-19 vaccines?
"Until now, the efficacy and safety of combining vaccines is still being evaluated, but the studies are still small," said Castillo-Neyra, "so far the consensus is that some of these combinations, such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer, produce a strong response. immune, but there is not enough data on safety and some data show more adverse effects when vaccines are combined. "
"In the United States we have access to all vaccines and for now the suggestion is to follow the protocols and not mix them," he added
Based on the available data, is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine enough to protect us from the delta variant?
"The efficacy of all vaccines against the delta variant continues to be evaluated, but the results so far are encouraging. Johnson & Johnson, like the others, is effective against delta," said Castillo-Neyra.
If I received only one dose of Pfizer and Moderna, am I sufficiently protected against COVID-19 and its delta variant?
"No. Absolutely not. One thing we've learned from the studies so far is that just one dose of Pfizer or Moderna does not protect against the delta variant. Receiving both doses is extremely important for protection," Albrecht said.
