The Oxford Vaccine Group in UK has been conducting a Com-Cov trial into the effects of mixing vaccine jabs. Preliminary results are out regarding AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID shots. Their study reports more frequent chills, headaches and muscle pain during trials than usual. Fortunately, only mild to moderate symptoms characterize these side effects more likely to occur with mixed jabs.
A Short Description of the Com-Cov Study
Several COVID vaccines are available for emergency use,. Most of these require a prime dose followed by a second booster shot. The Com-Cov2 study therefore aims to learn how well those combinations work, and the effect of duration between the doses. The researchers say the mixed AstraZeneca and Pfizer chills, headaches and muscle pain did not last long, and there were no other safety concerns.
‘It’s a really intriguing finding and noting something we were necessarily expecting,’ Oxford Vaccine Group’s Prof Matthew Snape remarks. Jim Reed, BBC health reporter confirms Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec are planning mixing doses. That’s because of ‘uncertainty over shipments of AstraZeneca’ and ‘concerns about rare blood clots’.
Side Effects More Likely with Mixed Jabs
The Oxford study was a relatively small one involving 830 volunteers aged over 50. Moreover, the results are preliminary at this stage, and we can only expect the final report by June. Some 10% of those subjects receiving two AstraZeneca jabs four weeks apart reported feverishness. However, the proportion averaged 34% with one AstraZeneca and one Pfizer in either order, rounded as follows.
1… Two AstraZeneca doses: 10%
2… One AstraZeneca, then one Pfizer: 35%
3… Two Pfizer doses: 20%
4… One Pfizer, then one AstraZeneca: 40%
The same pattern also emerged for mild to moderate chills, headaches and muscle pain according to Prof Matthew Snape. He believes we should avoid dual-dosing a critical work group, for example nurses on the same day. Now we know these side effects are more likely to occur with mixed jabs.
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Preview Image: Second Doses in the U.S.
