Can you mix vaccines?

[Averyslover]

Just wondering if anyone knew?

We moved and have had to change doctors. I had the Pfizer vaccine a month ago. Dh had his vaccine today with our new doctors and it was the AZ one.

I’m not sure if the doctors are only offering the AZ one. Just wondered if anyone had both and is it allowed?

I think the scientists are doing studies now on whether mixing vaccines is beneficial/ not beneficial. The view without the studies is that it's beneficial as it teaches your body to fight infection in two different ways.

I don't know whether they'll actually let you mix vaccines though. Probably not.

Yes, it says it is ok in the Green Book, in exceptional circumstances. Clinical trials are ongoing and working hypothesis is that mix and match may actually be even more effective.

I don’t think anyone has had both the different vaccines as yet. My DH had Pfizer and I had AZ. I have my second appointment, DH doesn’t although he had it 4 weeks before me.

This doesn’t answer your question, because PP already have, but don’t rule out your surgery not doing both types. I had Pfizer at my GP surgery but it would have been AZ if I’d gone the day before or the following week.

The mix and match vaccine trial started a month ago. I’m getting my second vaccine on Sunday - I don’t know which I’ve had or what I’m having on Sunday but i will either end up with 2 AZ, 2 Pfizer or one of each! Hopefully the preliminary results will be known in June.

Thank you for you replies.

In the US it's not done simply because there's currently no data on how it affects immunity. To streamline getting the jabs ready vaccination sites here have days where they just give Pfizer, days when they just give Moderna, etc.

You can only have a different brand for your second dose in exceptional circumstances, and moving area doesn’t count as an exceptional circumstance. All GP sites are getting Pfizer for second doses to match any Pfizer first doses they did, and there should’ve enough wiggle room for them to also give some to people who’ve moved into the area who had Pfizer before.

Have you moved out of the area where you had your first? Your new doctor should still be able to make sure you get Pfizer for your second dose.