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No protocol on mixing of COVID-19 vaccines or single-shot dose in India

NEW DELHI: The Centre today cleared its stand and said that mixing of COVID-19 vaccines is not the protocol approved yet in India and there is no change in the schedule of taking the two-dose vaccines Covishield and Covaxin, currently being widely administered across the country. 

Addressing a conference, NITI Aayog (Health) member Dr V K Paul said, "On the one hand, it might be possible that mixing of vaccines can lead to bad reactions on the other hand, science also indicates that mixing of vaccines could be useful and lead to an increase in immunity but a severe reaction and harm cannot be ruled out and therefore there is research going on in other countries."

Dr Paul said that this was a scientific matter and till the time it does not get sorted, we will say it is an unresolved scientific question over which there is no change in our programme. "The standard operating procedure of administering the doses of the same vaccine should be followed," he said.

"It is science's curiosity that will be settled by science and we will give the needed inputs in the process. Till then, there is no mixing of vaccines our schedule is very clear. Please stick to the SOP that doses of the same vaccine are to be given. If a change is to be made, we will share it from the same platform," he added.

Dr Paul was addressing this issue amid some reports that India was planning to start trials to test the feasibility of a regimen that uses two different jabs and the effectiveness of a single dose.

Due to supply delays and safety concerns that have slowed vaccination campaigns several countries are considering mixing different COVID-19 vaccines for second doses, there have been reports that China has already tested the scientific feasibility of and possibly Canada might also allow such a move.

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