Switching vaccines

[frenella]

Had the az vac in April and am now eligible to have the 2nd dose...but can choose whether to stick with az or switch to moderna/Pfizer for #2. How do I decide!?? Where would I look for info? Are they all similar?
What would you do?

No I don't think you can mix the vaccines. You're supposed to stick with the one you had in the first dose

Are you in the U.K.?

No I'm in Canada and we're being given a choice!

I thought you might be. I’m on the Com-COV mixing trial in the U.K. and there is a 50% chance I’ve had AZ followed by Pfizer or vice versa - the other options are 2 of the same. I believe we are being unblinded at the end of the month, so hopefully efficacy results for mixing will be available soon.

In the meantime 2 doses of AZ have been shown to be very effective against hospitalisation in the U.K. - AZ 92% v Pfizer 96% (both after 2 doses).

That’s got the delta (Indian variant).

Thank you!

They are now actively advising that the 2nd shot after AZ is either Pfizer or Moderna...so that's the way I'm headed! Literally different advice from our government daily! And they had a big batch of AZ that was due to expire so they changed the expiry date !! and pretty much said "we're sure it's probably fine" lol.
Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful that the vaccines exist full stop but communication here has been shocking.

They will only have changed the date if they have the data to support it. Personally I would have Pfizer (I'm a big AZ fan, but I suspect mixing might be better in the long run, no evidence though!). You may get worse side effects.

Where I am (Germany) they recommend getting Pfizer/Moderna as the second after a first of AZ if you're under 60. There was a news article the other day, said it is MORE effective than either double AZ or double Pfizer - I can't remember where the data was from but a few very small scale studies I think so probably not definitive. It also said the side effects are likely worse (but not dangerous ie no one was hospitalised as a result).