What to make of the news this morning that Oxford University is to ask for volunteers to take part in a trial to ‘mix and match’ the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines? Researchers will ask for 820 volunteers, all over 50 years old, who will be given two shots of a vaccine, two weeks apart. Some will receive AstraZeneca followed by Pfizer, some the other way around and some — the control group — will be given two doses of the same vaccine.
Britain has set itself apart from the EU, not just in the speed and extent of its vaccine procurement programme but also for its willingness to experiment. For example, while other countries have stuck rigidly to the manufacturers’ recommendation that the Pfizer vaccine be given in two jabs, 21 days apart, in Britain the second jab is being delayed for up to 12 weeks.
It is good that the practice of giving people two different doses is to be tested in a group of volunteers in an organised trial
There are two sides to this approach.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in