Duque not advocating mix of COVID-19 vaccines

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said he is not advocating the use of mixed COVID-19 vaccines to an individual, noting that there is no proof yet that such practice works.

"I do not advocate for this as of yet because there is no proof, sufficient data to support the claim that a mixed vaccine policy works. There are some articles I've read proposing possible use of mixed vaccines but I have one fundamental problem with that theory or hypothesis," Duque said at a congressional meeting.

Duque pointed out that in this practice, it will be not easy to determine which vaccine brand causes an adverse effect if an individual experiences such.

"Kapag nagbigay ka ng ibang bakuna sa first dose, halimbawa Sinovac, then second dose mo AstraZeneca, 'pag nagkaroon ng problema, adverse event following immunization, serious side effect, paano mo ituturo 'yung siya ba ay first dose, Sinovac, or second dose, AstraZeneca?" Duque said.

(For example, if you administer Sinovac as the first dose then AstraZeneca in the second dose, how will you determine which causes an adverse effect if the person will experience it?)

"This is one of my reasons for my inability to advocate for mixed use.

"Unless science comes forward with convincing evidence and data to show for example na vaccine Pfizer and Moderna na both using MRNA platform baka doon pwede," he said.

Vaccine experts in the Philippines are looking into the possibility of mixing different brands of COVID-19 vaccines because of the limited supply.

For Dr. Nina Gloriani, there should be no issue from an immunological standpoint in doing this.

Gloriani, however, said guidelines are needed if this practice will be observed. — RSJ, GMA News