Can You Mix Types of Vaccines for Your Booster Shot?

Currently booster shots are being recommended for persons who have taken two doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. We also asked Dr. Beer about the studies behind mixing and matching vaccines for the booster shot. Both the CDC and the FDA have reportedly given the green light for mixing and matching. It is an approach that our local authorities are suggesting is safe.

Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer

Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Maternal & Child Health Technical Advisor, M.O.H.W.

“There is several research papers out there already published that there is no greater risk combining vaccines. Let me use as an example, the vaccine we are recommending for pregnant women. The COVID19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy. We started out with the recommendation based on risk benefit analysis for the pregnant women. But, with the evidence, growing evidence of the COVID19 vaccine administered to pregnant women, or to women who shortly after got pregnant, there is no alert that it is causing harm to pregnant women or babies. So the vaccines are safe. The majority of data available right now, COVID19 vaccine used in pregnancy is data coming from Pfizer vaccine. So that is why we are recommending Pfizer. But, if a woman started with AstraZeneca, and then got pregnant, then she wants her second dose to be AstraZeneca and not Pfizer, we will offer Pfizer. But, if she says she wants to AstraZeneca we will just honor that request. But, combining vaccines, we are combining at this moment, based on the data that is available.”

Again, booster shots are available for health care workers, persons with co morbidities and anyone above the age sixty, at any of the vaccine centers across the country, but other groups will be phased in.