UK to test mix-and-match COVID vaccines amid fears of shortages

The UK is launching miscibility and combination trials of vaccines developed by Oxford University and the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and US-based Pfizer amid fears of drug shortages, said the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam, Report informs with reference to The Times.

To this end, British experts are recruiting a group of 800 volunteers over the age of 50.

Given the challenges of vaccinating large numbers of people against COVID-19 and the potential constraints on global supply, Van-Tam said there are definite advantages to having data that could support a more flexible immunization program.

The possibility of using mixed or matched vaccines, interchangeable drugs will make vaccination of the UK adult population easier and more flexible. Vaccines work in different ways. So, they can stimulate specific parts of the immune system and maximize the fight against the disease, according to British specialists.

Vaccinations in the UK began on 8 December. Currently, residents of the country are being vaccinated with Pfizer - BioNTech and AstraZeneca jabs. So far, only people over 65, medical and social workers, and people with feeble health are immunized.