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| ‘An evidence-free zone’: WHO chief scientist warns against ‘mixing and matching’ coronavirus vaccines | ‘An evidence-free zone’: WHO chief scientist warns against ‘mixing and matching’ coronavirus vaccines |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| World Health Organization Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has warned people away from combining different Covid-19 vaccines, despite studies suggesting that the “cocktail” approach could yield positive results. | World Health Organization Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has warned people away from combining different Covid-19 vaccines, despite studies suggesting that the “cocktail” approach could yield positive results. |
| With pharmaceutical companies touting the possibility of booster shots against the latest Covid-19 variants, Dr. Swaminathan warned on Monday against mixing different vaccines in an effort to boost immunity. | With pharmaceutical companies touting the possibility of booster shots against the latest Covid-19 variants, Dr. Swaminathan warned on Monday against mixing different vaccines in an effort to boost immunity. |
| “I really want to caution folks,” Swaminathan said during a World Health Organization (WHO) press briefing. “There are people who are thinking about mixing and matching … so it’s a little bit of a dangerous trend here. We’re in a data-free, evidence-free zone. There is limited data on mix and match.” | “I really want to caution folks,” Swaminathan said during a World Health Organization (WHO) press briefing. “There are people who are thinking about mixing and matching … so it’s a little bit of a dangerous trend here. We’re in a data-free, evidence-free zone. There is limited data on mix and match.” |
| “It will be a chaotic situation in countries if citizens start deciding when they should be taking a second or third or fourth dose.” | “It will be a chaotic situation in countries if citizens start deciding when they should be taking a second or third or fourth dose.” |
| Several studies have shown promising results from a combination of different vaccines. Russia’s Gamaleya Institute was the first vaccine developer to explore this avenue when it offered its Sputnik V jab up for clinical trials last year alongside AstraZeneca’s shot, with research still taking place. Similar studies combining other vaccines have bolstered the argument for ‘mixing and matching’, and a number of countries – among them the UK, Canada and Italy – allow citizens to receive shots from multiple manufacturers. | Several studies have shown promising results from a combination of different vaccines. Russia’s Gamaleya Institute was the first vaccine developer to explore this avenue when it offered its Sputnik V jab up for clinical trials last year alongside AstraZeneca’s shot, with research still taking place. Similar studies combining other vaccines have bolstered the argument for ‘mixing and matching’, and a number of countries – among them the UK, Canada and Italy – allow citizens to receive shots from multiple manufacturers. |
| Swaminathan acknowledged that these studies have shown promise, but noted that even amid the spread of the latest coronavirus variants, booster shots are not needed at the moment. | Swaminathan acknowledged that these studies have shown promise, but noted that even amid the spread of the latest coronavirus variants, booster shots are not needed at the moment. |
| “It has to be based on the science and the data, not on individual companies declaring that their vaccines should now be administered as a booster dose,” she concluded. | “It has to be based on the science and the data, not on individual companies declaring that their vaccines should now be administered as a booster dose,” she concluded. |
| Swaminathan was likely referring to US drugmaker Pfizer, which announced last week that a third dose of its vaccine could be necessary to maintain immunity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, however, countered Pfizer’s announcement with a joint statement reiterating that two doses are effective for the time being. | Swaminathan was likely referring to US drugmaker Pfizer, which announced last week that a third dose of its vaccine could be necessary to maintain immunity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, however, countered Pfizer’s announcement with a joint statement reiterating that two doses are effective for the time being. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |