The coronavirus vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson are allowed to be used to administer booster doses, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Wednesday.
The Agency's human medicines committee (CHMP) has concluded that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be given at least two months after the first J&J dose in people aged 18 years and above, as well as after full vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
"At national level, public health bodies may issue official recommendations on the use of booster doses, either following one dose of J&J or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, taking into account the local epidemiological situation, availability of vaccines, and emerging effectiveness and the limited safety data for the booster dose," stated the EMA.
Belgium won't use J&J boosters
Pfizer and Moderna are currently the only vaccines used in Belgium to administer booster shots and that is unlikely to change, according to Gudrun Briat, spokesperson for the Vaccination Taskforce.
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"We are going to stay with Pfizer and Moderna for the time being, as we have never had any issues with them," Briat told The Brussels Times.
"No more deliveries of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are expected in Belgium, so this announcement will not have an impact on the country's booster campaign," she added.
