National Immunisation Council recommends J&J booster shot 8-12 weeks after the first jab

«Currently there is high demand for Janssen Covid-19 vaccine, which requires only one jab for a full vaccination course. Nevertheless, the National Immunisation Council (IVP) would like to remind residents that Janssen Covid-19 vaccine provides lower protection against the Delta variant,» says IVP chairman Prof. Dace Zavadska.
IVP has developed guidelines in relation to picking the most appropriate vaccine for children and youngsters.
«Both in other countries and in Latvia it is becoming clear than a full vaccination course using Janssen Covid-19 vaccine, which requires only one jab, provides lower protection against symptomatic infection caused by Delta variant of Covid-19 when compared to two doses of mRNA or virus vector vaccine Vaxzevria (prev. AstraZeneca),» says Zavadska.
This is why IVP recommends people who have vaccinated for Covid-19 using Janssen (regardless of age) to sign up for a booster shot to increase individual protection.
Booster shots are recommended to be carried out 8-12 weeks after the first shot or later. The booster shot can consist of an mRNA technology vaccine. Using a second Janssen vaccine shot is allowed as an alternative. Those who went through confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection prior to or after Janssen do not require a booster shot.
Looking at the latest data, IVP recommends vaccinating children and youngsters for Covid-19. «Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Comirnaty is recommended for vaccination of children and youngsters. IVP carefully follows reports from Scandinavian countries, as well as Canada and USA. The council has also studied the report by European Medicines Agency on the risks of myocarditis after using mRNA vaccines. Considering the available information and data from those countries’ healthcare registers, IVP recommends using Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty to vaccinate children and youngsters,» says IVP chairman.
She explains that Covid-19 vaccine Spikevax (prev. Moderna) has demonstrated a higher immune system response, which may be related to the higher risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in this age group.
This is temporary recommendation. Once more information becomes available, guidelines may be changed or clarified further.