Get AstraZeneca now then Pfizer? ksa allows to mix and match vaccines
Reports about mixing the two types of vaccine came when a number of the population is waiting for their second dose…
Are mix-and-match vaccines the way forward?
Saudi Arabia’s National Scientific Committee for Infectious Diseases has given its approval for using different Covid-19 vaccines for the first and second dose, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said in a statement on its Twitter account.
The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) authorised the mix-and-match approach after reviewing the findings of several medical studies that tested the safety and efficacy of administering doses from different brands.
Experts found that combining different vaccines triggers a more robust and longer-lasting immune response, possibly protecting against emerging variants.
Those who are 50 years and above and have spent 42 days after receiving the first dose can take the second dose, starting from today.
The other age groups would be eligible to receive the second dose of the vaccine according to availability as it seeks to cover the largest possible segment of the population during the next period.
Meanwhile, it will continue to provide the first dose to those who have yet to receive it.
#الصحة تعلن عن تسجيل (1253) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (13) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (1043) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (459,091) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/ARutclWYG9
— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) June 23, 2021
The Kingdom recorded 1,253 new Covid-19 cases yesterday (Wednesday, June 23), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 478,135.
Out of the total number of cases, 11,328 remain active, and 1,472 people are in critical condition, a decline of 15 in the past 24 hours.
Riyadh reported 165 cases and the Eastern Province with 263 cases.
The MoH reiterated its call on the public to adhere to the preventive measures, abide by the guidelines, and encourage residents to register for the vaccine.
So far, more than 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s adult population have been vaccinated, and more than 16.9 million doses of the vaccine have been administered across the Kingdom at 587 centres.
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