Johnson and Johnson says a second dose of its COVID 19 vaccine provides stronger protection. It also says a booster provides an increase in antibodies.
Those who received the one dose vaccine have questions. Some are asking if they should go ahead and get a dose of Pfizer or Moderna for extra protection.
Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health says wait.
"At this point in time we do not have recommendations in terms of what we call a mixed series," Landers said, "really what people should do now is wait for additional information from the review of the data that J&J will present to the FDA and then subsequent guidance from (ACIP) Advisory Council on Immunization Practices so we really will know what's best for patients."
Doctors say the terms "second dose" and "booster" are based on the time that lapses between an initial dose and when an additional dose is given.
For example, J&J used the term "second dose" for a shot received two months after the first dose.
Based on clinical trials the company says that increases protection to 94 percent.
J&J uses the term "booster" for those receiving the second dose at least six months after the first dose is administered. That provides a 12-fold increase in antibodies.
"If Johnson and Johnson becomes a two series vaccine then obviously there will be a first and second dose just as though there are first and second doses with he Pfizer and Moderna and then those persons who have already had a single dose if J&J is approved for a booster then that would be a booster dose," Landers said.
The Director of Alabama's Vaccine Research clinic, Dr. Paul Goepfert says a lot of people who got the J&J have also gotten Pfizer or Moderna's vaccines but he says he wouldn't recommend mixing vaccines.
"We just don't have data to suggest that that's the right thing to do right now," Goepfert said.