THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The European Union drug regulator gave its backing Tuesday to mixing various kinds of vaccines in preliminary vaccination and booster campaigns to battle the coronavirus.
The European Medicines Company stated in an announcement that utilizing various kinds of vaccines collectively, often known as heterologous vaccination, can present safety in opposition to COVID-19.
The announcement comes as a lot of Europe is dealing with rising an infection and hospital charges and issues in regards to the new omicron variant.
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The EMA, along with the European Middle for Illness Prevention and Management, stated {that a} mix-and-match technique may give nations extra choices in vaccination campaigns as a lot of the continent seeks to include the newest surge within the pandemic.
“The proof out there to date with various kinds of licensed vaccines signifies {that a} heterologous booster seems nearly as good as or higher when it comes to immune responses than a homologous booster,” the companies stated in an announcement.
“Whereas analysis is ongoing to offer extra proof on long-term security, period of immunity and effectiveness, the usage of heterologous schedules might provide flexibility when it comes to vaccination choices, notably to cut back the influence on the vaccine rollout ought to a vaccine not be out there for any motive,” they added.
The companies checked out knowledge for mRNA vaccines just like the Pfizer shot and so-called viral vector vaccines such because the one made by Johnson & Johnson. The 2 kinds of vaccines use totally different applied sciences to spur the physique to battle the coronavirus.
U.S. and U.Okay. authorities have already given the inexperienced gentle to mixing and matching vaccines in booster campaigns.
