Increasing inquiries on mixing wax in hospitals

However, the lack of studies and data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on dose adjustments or booster shots means that hospitals cannot meet these requests, especially since the government has not issued any guidelines in this regard. has done.

The lack of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use List (EUL) for Covaxin means that people who have received jabs are still not considered “vaccinated” by those countries for fully vaccinated individuals. Starting the journey, that is, those who have taken two shots of one. WHO-approved vaccine In India, only Covishield is approved by WHO, and is considered valid vaccine evidence by many countries such as the US, Europe and Canada.

Dr Hiren Ambegaonkar, CEO, Surya Hospital in Mumbai, said, “We are getting many inquiries about dosage mixing, but we cannot technically advise about it, as we still do not know if it is scientifically proven. safe or not.” Unless we get proper guidelines from the government, we cannot administer these doses.”

Earlier this month, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized a mixture of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine and Johnson & Johnson’s adenovirus vaccines after studies showed a better immune response to such a mixture. A study in Quebec, Canada showed that even a combination of AstraZeneca and Pfizer supplements produced a better immune response. However, in the case of India, limited studies on mixed doses have created ambiguity on the effectiveness of such a move.

“Combining vaccines generally elicits a stronger immune response than giving the same vaccine twice, as shown in several studies. However, the results of a small study of a mixture of Covaxin and Covishield are available in only 18 people from Uttar Pradesh, where a different second dose was accidentally given”, said a health care professional on condition of anonymity. Grouping of subjects is still awaited, adding results from the larger study.

ICMR is responsible for conducting studies on the effectiveness and mixed doses of the vaccine. The Christian Medical College in Vellore is conducting a study on 1,100 participants on a mixed vaccine dose, which is expected to last at least six months.

“Having a flexible vaccination schedule would have significant advantages where the second vaccine dose is not necessarily the same as the first dose and the interval between doses is the same. Accordingly, this study was conducted with Covaxin given at 56+/- 7 days intervals and vice versa with CovaShield. Will determine the safety as well as immune responses for mixed administration and compare these two vaccines with the same 2 dose administration. , as per the trial document of CMC, Vellore observed by Mint. The document states that there are mixed combinations of vaccines available. Safety and immune response will also be determined after booster dose administration (after an interval of 3-6 months after the second dose) after Covishield and Covaxin in the same and Covisshield or mixed prime vaccination with Covaxin