FDA Authorizes Janssen Covid-19 Vaccine as Booster Shot in the Philippines

Strategic Insights -

The Department of Health (DOH) has announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of Janssen Covid-19 vaccine as a booster shot among fully vaccinated adults in the Philippines. This decision comes after the Philippine FDA approved the emergency use authorization for the vaccine. The Janssen vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, can be used as a heterologous shot for individuals who received other primary vaccination series, except for those who received Sputnik V. The vaccine can also be used as a homologous shot for those who received the Janssen vaccine as their primary vaccination series.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDA has authorized the use of Janssen Covid-19 vaccine as a booster shot among fully vaccinated adults in the Philippines.
  • The Janssen vaccine can be used as a heterologous shot for individuals who received AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, Gamaleya Sputnik Light, and Sinovac as their primary vaccination series.
  • The vaccine can also be used as a homologous shot for those who received the Janssen vaccine as their primary vaccination series.
  • Booster shots can be given to fully vaccinated adults at least three months after the second dose of the two-dose primary vaccine series or at least two months for those who received a single-shot vaccine.
  • The single-shot vaccines approved in the country are Sputnik Light and Janssen.
  • The DOH assures that all vaccines with the Philippine FDA emergency use authorization are proven safe and effective.

Statistics:

  • The two-dose vaccines approved in the country are AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
  • The Janssen vaccine is a single-shot vaccine.
  • At least six months are required between the primary vaccination series and the booster shot for AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
  • At least three months are required between the primary vaccination series and the booster shot for single-shot vaccines.

Sources:

  • (Source: Department of Health, April 22)
  • (Source: Food and Drug Administration)