The latest Oxford study says that Mixed Covid Vaccines are proving helpful. They are inducing higher concentrations of antibodies. Because the SARS-CoV2 spike IgG protein is the root cause, so the mixing of doses is proving effective.
Study on Mixed Covid Vaccines
The Oxford study published on the Lancet pre-print server is highlighting discoveries on mixed covid vaccines. So, it confirms that alternating doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioTech vaccines are more effective because they result in robust immune responses. But this finding is forcing researchers to use a new approach and is known as the mix and match approach.
Trials of Mixed Covid Vaccines
So now the researchers are thinking about the possibility of using a different vaccine for the first ‘prime’ vaccination. But while using another vaccine for follow up or ‘booster’ vaccination. Because, it is proven that alternating doses of the two vaccines and their results are generating a stronger immunity in a person’s body.
Because the trial results are inviting experts’ advice, read on to know what they are saying. So, the people who are vaccinated with two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. They will develop a strong immune response. But only if they are given a different dose as a booster.
What are Experts Saying
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam is the UK’s deputy chief medical officer. He says that but there was no reason to change the current successful same dose vaccine schedules in the UK. Because the given vaccines were in good supply and saving lives. But he further adds that it might be something to look at in the future. So he says, “Mixing doses could provide us with even greater flexibility for a booster programme, while also supporting countries who have further to go with their vaccine rollouts, and who may be experiencing supply difficulties.”
Lead investigator Prof Matthew Snape who is from the University of Oxford. He says, “We already know that both standard schedules are very effective against severe disease and hospitalisations, including against the Delta variant when given at eight to 12 weeks apart.” Because he asserts that the new results came and are proving the efficiency of mixed doses.
So Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia says, “The big question at present is whether or not we will be being offered booster vaccines in the autumn. With the evidence available from this and other sources, I suspect that will be likely for those most at risk from the virus, either due to age or being clinically vulnerable.”
Combination of Mixed Covid Vaccines
So, different kinds of vaccine availability is good. They are further helping this new approach. But the most famous ones are mixing of the first and second doses of the Oxford – AstraZeneca and Pfizer – BioNTech.
But it’s also a point that the mixing is producing more short – term side effects. So for example – chills, headaches and pain in muscle. Because, of the combined effects.
But the discovery is beneficial for medical researches. Because it will increase the knowledge pool of researchers.