Will you be better protected if you combine Covaxin and Covishield doses?

Many states in the country have halted the vaccination drive due to an acute shortage of vaccines. Due to this, many people are not getting their scheduled doses or vaccines of their choice.

Even though there is no harm in delaying the vaccine schedule, the frequent question that has been coming up lately is whether we can mix and match the vaccines. As the problem of vaccine shortage persists, is it safe to take Covaxin in the first dose and Covishield in the second? Will the inoculation be still effective?

What happens if we miss the second dose?

An individual needs to take both doses of vaccine so as to ensure full protection. Hence, skipping the second dose won’t do any good.

It is also essential that a person gets the second dose according to the recommended dosing gaps. Avoid too much delay in the appointment.

But, due to circumstances such as a shortage of vaccines, if a person is unable to get jabbed for the second time, it is not a thing to be worried about. The first dose will not prove to be useless if one has not got the second dose. Try and schedule the appointment as per the recommended timelines. Do not cancel it. Get the second dose even if you are late and also, wear masks and follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

Should you mix the two vaccines? Here’s what the experts say…

The shortage of vaccines may lead to delayed appointments. However, experts say that no two vaccines should be mixed no matter what.

The main reason for this is, all vaccines are made differently and work in a different way. For instance, mRNA vaccines (messenger RNA) deliver an immune response in a different way than traditionally modelled vaccines like Oxford- Astrazeneca, or our homegrown Covaxin. Thus, mixing the vaccines will not have favourable outcomes.

Different vaccines may give different responses

Even if one combines the two vaccines that have the same nature, such as Covaxin and Covishhield, one may not get favourable outcomes.

Also, people should be aware that some vaccines will be less safe for them. Those who have pre-existing ailments like blood-clotting disorders, allergy risk or using any blood-thinning medications should avoid taking the risk. Also, people should take care of factors such as side effects, suitability and anti-body responses.

Thus, mixing and matching the vaccines or getting some other vaccine for the second dose is not at all an ideal option.

Have vaccines been combined for use before?

Vaccines for Covid-19 have experimented in a race against time. However, this is not the first time that the notion of mixing and matching the vaccines have been played with. Scientifically, this strategy of mixing and matching is known as a ‘booster’ of sorts or heterologous prime. Previously, it was done for the prevention against infectious diseases like Ebola.

Trials have begun to determine the efficacy

Experts are of different opinions on this matter. However, trials have begun to see if using doses of two different vaccines would increase immunity and provide stronger prevention.

For instance, a recent clinical study done on more than 600 participants proved that not only mixing the two vaccines was tolerable but it provided sufficient potent immune response against Covid-19. The study was done by combining Oxford-Astrazeneca (Covishield) and the Pfizer mRNA vaccine.

A similar study will be done to observe the effectiveness of combining Moderna and Novavax Covid-19 doses.

What people need to keep in mind

As our country is facing an acute shortage of vaccines, it is not recommended to combine the two vaccines. It may seem to be effective but it isn’t necessary that it will suit each and every one.

At a crucial time like this, when the country is prioritising those who are yet to take the second dose, mixing and matching may not be actually better than not getting the second dose. It is best to leave this to the experts.

Even if such a strategy is ‘theoretically’ possible, we should not take such decisions because we don’t know about it.

People should get their first dose of vaccines which remains the priority as it will offer some protection against the virus. Thus, it is advised to take precautions at all steps.