DOH, DOST to study mixing of COVID-19 vaccine brands, booster shots

The Health and Science Departments are in talks to study the possibility of mixing COVID-19 vaccine brands and booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals, a health official said Monday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said health and science officials, as well as the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP), have had “several meetings” to discuss a study.

“The proponent of this trial already presented to us their protocol at dito po ay pag-aaralan ito pong mix-and-match, kung saan puwedeng magpabakuna ng another brand aside from the initial brand that you were given,” she said in a briefing.

(The proponent of this trial already presented to us their protocol to study mix-and-match, where you can get another brand aside from the initial brand that you were given.)

“Kasama rin po sa pag-aaral na ito itong pagbibigay ng (Also included in this study is the) additional shot which is a different brand for those who have completed two doses already,” she added.

Vergeire said details of the study, including the source of funding, are still being ironed out.

VEP head Dr. Nina Gloriani earlier said experts were looking into the possible mixing of COVID-19 vaccine brands as the country continues to grapple with a supply shortage. 

Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, also said there is "no harm” in mixing vaccine brands. 

The Department of Health has not yet officially endorsed this practice for COVID-19 vaccines. 

The Philippines has vaccinated over 2.2 million individuals as of May 15, still far from the government’s target of inoculating 50 million to 70 million people this year. —KG, GMA News