The race for immunization against Covid-19 began in late 2020. According to data compiled by Our World in Data, 4.8 billion doses have already been applied worldwide.
However, one of the obstacles to global immunization has been the series of problems faced by vaccine manufacturers, such as global shortages of supplies, which have caused serious delays in supply. In some cases, as a partial solution to these problems, countries have tried to combine different vaccines.
What is known so far?
The first Oxford University research, known as “Com-COV1”, studied the effects of combining, in some cases, AstraZeneca with Pfizer. In a second clinical trial, titled “Com-COV2”, the University researched the effects of combining AstraZeneca with Moderna or Novavax. In Germany, as the case may be, the first dose of AstraZeneca combined with any of the vaccines that use the MRNA method was recommended: Pfizer or Moderna.
In Latin America, a similar strategy is being applied in specific cases with Sputnik V, mainly in Argentina. In the country, several people were vaccinated with the first dose of Sputnik V, but due to supply problems they did not have access to the second component.
In Brazil, there is still no definition on the vaccine boost, but both the Ministry of Health and the Butantan Institute (responsible for finalizing the production of CoronaVac in the country) are evaluating this possibility. A survey in partnership with the University of Oxford seeks to verify the interchangeability of Coronavac with other immunization agents available to the Brazilian population (Source: g1.globo.com).
Another point that needs to be observed and remembered is that vaccination, to be effective, requires that the doses be stored correctly, within the temperature range recommended by the manufacturer and following the ANVISA Cold Chain Manual. For this, scientific refrigerators, specific equipment for the custody of vaccines that preserve the integrity of the immunizing agents and, therefore, the effectiveness of the immunization, are needed.