Can Covid-19 vaccines be mixed? UAE to test 100 volunteers

  DUBAI – The UAE will reportedly test 100 volunteers as global research is underway to find out if Covid-19 vaccines can be mixed for better effectivity against the virus. Currently, complete Covid-19 vaccination requires two doses administered at an interval. In Russia, researchers believe pairing of two kinds of Covid-19 vaccine may offer better protection against new strains of the virus. "Trials have already been done in Russia and we can say with confidence that the vaccines registered in Russia also work against new strains," Alexander Gorelov, deputy head of research at Rospotrebnadzor's Institute of Epidemiology, said on state television. In Abu Dhabi, scientists will reportedly study the effects of combining the Sputnik and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The UAE trial will involve 100 people. Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi of Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, told a recent public health conference that 50 volunteers will receive the Sputnik vaccine followed by the AstraZeneca vaccine. Another 50 volunteers will also receive the AstraZeneca vaccine first, and then the Sputnik vaccine, Al Hammadi said. Similar trials of the vaccine mix are currently underway in several countries. Experiments in the UK involved the use of Pfizer-BioNtech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Researchers are looking at combining Covid-19 vaccines to offer countries flexibility to give a dose from another type of vaccine if supplies run low. They also believe that combining vaccines will give better immunity against new coronavirus strains, picking up the best features from each vaccine. However, scientists have said that further research needs to be carried out to confirm that mixing Covid-19 vaccines is safe and effective. ICA/Expat Media
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