The first results of a British study into the effectiveness of corona vaccines suggest that a mix of different types of vaccines offers adequate protection against corona. Subjects produced high levels of antibodies and immune cells after receiving one dose of the Pfizer vaccine and one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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The researchers, mostly affiliated with the University of Oxford, began the study, called Com-COV, in February. Of the 830 volunteers, some were given two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca, both of which have been shown to be effective against Covid-19. Others received a dose of AstraZeneca, followed by one from Pfizer, or vice versa.
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The researchers found that the volunteers who received different vaccines reported more chills, headaches and muscle aches than people who received two doses of the same vaccine. However, those side effects were short-lived.
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Higher level of immune cells
The study also found that using different vaccines resulted in a higher level of immune cells ready to attack the coronavirus than using two doses of the same vaccine. It is not yet clear why mixing would have that advantage.
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For now, the researchers recommend getting two doses of the same vaccine. After all, large clinical studies have shown that this strategy reduces the chance of getting corona. “The standard should be: what has been proven to work,” one of the scientists said at a news conference Monday.
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“Reassuring Evidence”
But there are cases where that is not possible, such as when vaccine shipments are delayed. In such situations, it’s important to note that this study provides “reassuring evidence” that people can switch to a different vaccine, the researchers say.
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The group of British scientists has now started a similar study, this time adding vaccines from Moderna and Novavax to the list of possibilities.
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