UK Begins Clinical Trials of Pfizer-AstraZeneca 'Heterologous Vaccination'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK has begun clinical trials to determine the possibility of cross-vaccination between Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

On the 4th (local time), researchers at Oxford University started these clinical trials, according to major foreign media including the British daily The Guardian.

The research team plans to administer one of the two vaccines, then after 4 to 12 weeks, give the other vaccine to observe the immune response. They will evaluate antibody and T-cell responses, side effects, rather than the overall effectiveness of cross-vaccination.

Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines, requiring two doses and a cold chain maintaining temperatures between minus 75 degrees and minus 25 degrees Celsius.

Both vaccines are currently approved for use and being administered in the UK. The Guardian reported, "If additional vaccines receive approval, they will be added to the study subjects."

The researchers are recruiting 800 clinical trial participants starting today. The target group is high-risk individuals aged 50 and over who have not yet been vaccinated.

Professor Matthew Snape of Oxford University, leading the study, said, "The clinical trial results will be available in June. If the possibility of cross-vaccination is proven, it will greatly increase the flexibility of vaccine distribution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.