Johnson & Johnson: Stiko advises a second vaccination – the most important information

With mRNA vaccine
“Johnson & Johnson”: Stiko advises a second vaccination – the most important information for those affected

Syringes with vaccine against the coronavirus

© Moritz Frankenberg / DPA

Vaccine breakthroughs are more common after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination than with other vaccines. The Stiko therefore recommends a second vaccination with an mRNA vaccine. The most important questions and answers.

Just one syringe and still complete vaccination protection: Vaccination with the disposable vaccine from Janssen, also known as “Johnson & Johnson”, is practical. That Robert Koch Institute (RKI) currently lists 3.2 million people who have received such a vaccination in Germany. Since last week, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has been advising everyone to have a second vaccination with an mRNA vaccine – a corresponding change in the recommendation has been initiated. The vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer or Moderna come into question.

Why did Stiko issue such advice? And when should the second injection be given? An overview of the most important information.

The Janssen vaccine is approved as a single vaccine. Why should a second vaccination now be recommended?

In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute monitors the number of so-called vaccination breakthroughs. A vaccination breakthrough is a proven corona disease in a fully vaccinated person. The data show that breakthroughs are more common with the Janssen vaccine than with other vaccines. “Furthermore, in contrast to the other approved vaccines, a comparatively low vaccine effectiveness compared to the Delta variant was observed for the Janssen vaccine,” writes the Stiko in a press release.

The Stiko experts therefore assume “insufficient” vaccination protection after just one Janssen dose and recommend “optimizing” the basic immunization with an additional mRNA vaccine dose. In general, however, all Covid-19 vaccines “effectively and lastingly” protect against serious illnesses and death from Covid-19, emphasizes the Stiko.

So far, the updated Stiko recommendation is a draft resolution. Can you still make changes?

Basically yes. Certain specialist groups and the federal states can still comment on the planned update. The updated and final Stiko recommendation should then be published promptly.

The current draft resolution also provides for booster vaccinations for certain groups of people, such as people over 70 years of age or those in need of care in homes – regardless of the vaccine previously used. So far, such a recommendation has only been made for people with a weakened immune system.

What is the difference between the Janssen vaccine and the mRNA vaccine?

The Janssen vaccine is a so-called vector vaccine. It contains harmless vector viruses that cannot reproduce and that carry the genetic information for a single coronavirus protein, the so-called spike protein. This information is read in the body and the cells begin to produce the virus protein themselves. The body then forms antibodies against the spike protein. The vector viruses contained in the vaccine are broken down in the body after a short time. This also ends the production of the spike protein.


Dog sniffs out corona infection in Hanover (symbolic image of sniffer dog)

mRNA vaccines only contain the blueprint for the spike protein in the form of so-called “messenger RNA”. This blueprint is “read” in the muscle cells at the vaccination site and the cells begin to produce the spike protein themselves. The immune system recognizes these proteins as foreign and builds up a protective immune response. The mRNA contained in the vaccine is broken down in the body after a few days. The production of the spike protein also ends then.

Has there been any experience with so-called cross-vaccinations – first vector vaccine, then mRNA vaccine?

Yes, there is, with the Astrazeneca vector vaccine. Two doses are required for this vaccine for complete protection. People who received Astrazeneca as the first dose usually received an mRNA vaccine as the second dose. The background was here too an updated Stiko recommendation due to better vaccine effectiveness.

At what time interval should the mRNA vaccination be given?

The Stiko experts recommend giving the mRNA vaccination “from four weeks after the Janssen vaccination”.

Is the planned recommendation for the Janssen vaccine mandatory?

No, the proposed recommendation is not mandatory. Sufferers can decide for themselves whether they want a second dose of vaccine.

Is there enough vaccine and where can I get vaccinated?

Sufficient vaccine is available. Those interested can contact resident doctors. Sometimes, however, you have to wait until the final Stiko recommendation is available.

Source:Communication from the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko)

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