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Covid-19 vaccines: Mix-match research continues

06 Jun 2021

  • Reliance on existing evidence

  • DGHS guidelines pending

By Aazam Ameen   The National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (NACCD) is yet to take a decision on the possibility of administering the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine as a second jab for those who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine as their first dose, The Sunday Morning learnt. Explaining further, Deputy Director General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told The Sunday Morning that since the NACCD cannot do their own experiments in this regard, they are relying on the review of available evidence. “These are still relatively new vaccines. Due to this, the information regarding their efficacy is constantly evolving, as more studies continue to be conducted. As a result, the immunity periods of these vaccines keep changing,” he said. Dr. Herath added that since the NACCD has to review new information as and when it becomes available, the Committee cannot present their complete findings yet. He further clarified that until written recommendations are released by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), based on the findings of the NACCD, the current status quo with regard to vaccinations will continue to stand.


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