Covid-19: Researchers looking into mixing vaccine doses
It could help ease supply issues amid fears over blood clots
Last updated 14th Apr 2021
Research into whether different coronavirus vaccines can be safely mixed for the first and second doses is to be expanded to include two more jabs.
Scientists had been looking at the mixing of Pfizer and AstraZeneca injections and will now also explore Moderna and Novavax.
If it is deemed safe, researchers say it could help address supply concerns for the UK's vaccination programme.
Adults over 50 who have had a first dose of Pfizer/BioNtech or Oxford/AstraZeneca are being invited to take part in the Com-Cov study, with the second dose either the same as the first one, or a shot of Moderna or Novavax.
- Why are scientists studying mixing doses?
Researchers want to determine whether combining vaccines might offer stronger, longer-lasting immunity against coronavirus and its variants.
If proven to be successful, mixing and matching doses would offer more flexibility to the UK's national vaccine rollout programme.
- How many people have been vaccinated so far?
Around 32.2 million people in the UK have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine, while 7.2 million have received a second dose.
- Who is being offered the vaccine now?
In England, people aged 45 and over are being invited and can book online, while over-50s are being offered the vaccine in Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, people aged 40-45 are now eligible to book for a Covid jab.
Meanwhile, the Welsh government has said all over-50s have now been offered their first dose.
Across the UK, those aged over 16 who live with adults with weakened immune systems will also be offered a jab.
- Who is next in line to get the vaccine?
The Government has said all adults will be offered their first dose by the end of July.
This will happen in decreasing age order - starting with those aged between 40-49 years, followed by those aged 30-39 and then those in the 18-29 age bracket.
- Which vaccines are currently being used in the UK?
There are currently three vaccines approved for use in the UK: Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna.
The Moderna jab works in a similar way to the Pfizer one, using tiny fragments of genetic code from coronavirus to train the body to fight off infection.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is slightly different and uses a harmless, modified virus which carries instructions that also teaches the body to tackle Covid-19.
The Novavax jab has not been approved yet in the UK, but that is expected to happen soon - with early results from trials showing it to be safe and effective.
The UK has ordered seven vaccines involving 407 million doses - more than enough for every adult in the country.
These include AstraZeneca (100 million), Pfizer (40 million), Valneva (100 million), Novavax (60 million), GlaxoSmithKline (60 million), Janssen (30 million) and Moderna (17 million).
- Are blood clots as possible vaccine side-effects a cause for concern?
There have been reports of a rare type of bloods clot connected to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, the UK medicines regulator - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - has said the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine continue to far outweigh any risks.
But they added that as a precautionary measure, under-30s will be offered an alternative jab.
Up to March 31, the MHRA has received 79 reports of blood clots accompanied by low blood platelet (cells that can help blood clot) count, all in people who had their first dose of the vaccine.
Of these 79, a total of 19 people have died, and three were under the age of 30, although it has not been established what the cause was in every case.
- What about the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna jabs?
The MHRA has said up to March 31, it had received "two reports of blood clots (thromboembolism) reported with thrombocytopenia for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine''.
By this date, approximately 11 million first doses and 3.5 million second doses of the vaccine had been given.
There is no data on the Moderna vaccine as it is not yet being used widely in the UK.
Check out NI's vaccine timeline:
21st December 2021
Northern Ireland's largest vaccination centre at the TEC, Titanic Quarter Belfast, opens it s doors for booster walk-ins and appointments.
September 11th 2021
A pop-up clinic at the Limelight provided vaccinations and free gig tickets to those taking up the jab
September 8th 2021
The Health and Agriculture Ministers have jointly urged the farming and rural community to protect themselves from Covid-19 through vaccination. The appeal in the farming and rural community will provide walk-in vaccinations at September's Balmoral Show.
August 22nd 2021
Vaccination staff at the SSE Arena at the end of the Big Jab Weekend.
June 24th 2021
Northern Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination centres are now offering first dose appointments to everyone aged 18 and over
June 27th 2021
80% of the adult population have now a first jab and close to 60% are fully vaccinated with both doses. The two million mark has been reached, as the centre opens for walk-in vaccinations at the SSE Arena Belfast.
May 18th 2021
Over a million people in Northern Ireland have now received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose.
May 11th 2021
Department of Health confirmed half a million people have received both doses of the Coronavirus vaccine
April 2020
At the end of April 2020 Oxford University launched a trial testing a potential Covid-19 on human participants.
30th April 2021
Limited availability for those aged 30 to 34 to book a Covid-19 vaccine.
26th April 2021
Vaccination slots are open to those born between 01/04/81 and 30/04/86 across NI.
10th April 2021
One million doses of the Covid vaccine have now been administered in Northern Ireland.
19th April 2021
35-39 year olds are offered a limited opportunity to book a covid vaccine.
This is in advance of opening the programme to the entire 35-39 age group by the end of April.
8th April 2021
People aged 40-44 now able to book their vaccination appointments across Northern Ireland.
7th April 2021
Under 30s will be offered alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine due to 'small number' of blood clots.
READ MORE
31st March 2021
Health Minister Robin Swann received his first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine at Ballee Community Pharmacy, he urged others who are eligible to do the same.
30th March 2021
In an effort to bring the jab to local high streets and rural areas, hundreds of community pharmacies and chemists joined the vaccine rollout.
29th March 2021
The carpark at the SSE Arena in Belfast was a Covid-19 testing facility. Meanwhile the arena inside was transformed into a vaccination site to administer around 40,000 vaccines per week.
READ MORE
28th March 2021
50% of Northern Ireland's adult population receive a covid vaccine, with a total of 719,260 administered by March 28th.
READ MORE
27th March 2021
First Minister Arlene Foster was given an AstraZeneca jab at the Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
14th March 2021
Vaccine roll-out continues across Northern Ireland despite temporary halt to AstraZeneca jab in the Republic. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the move following reports of serious blood clotting events in adults in Norway.
READ MORE
12th March 2021
The UK's Defence Secretary approved the deployment of 100 defence medics for vaccination support.
READ MORE:
17th February 2021
A major extension of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 vaccination programme was announced, with responsibilities divided between GP practices and the seven regional vaccination centres run by health trusts.
26th January 2021
The Department of Health revealed plans to scale up the Covid vaccination programme - everyone aged over 65 would be offered a jab within five weeks.
4th January 2021
The roll-out of a second covid-19 vaccination programme (Oxford/AstraZeneca) began across Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
8th December 2020
Belfast nurse Joanna Sloan became the first person in Northern Ireland, and indeed on the island of Ireland, to be vaccinated.
2nd December 2020
The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
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