Marikina, Muntinlupa, Davao eyed as study sites for vax ‘mix and match’ — DOST

MANILA, Philippines — The team that will conduct a “mix and match” study on COVID-19 vaccines is considering the cities of Marikina, Muntinlupa, and Davao as pilot implementation sites, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Saturday.

“Itong ating mix and match study team, nag-i-isip na sila ng pilot implementation na malamang sa Marikina, Muntinlupa, at Davao. Naka-identify na tayo ng vaccination sites at nagdry run na sila sa Marikina noong October 18,” DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(The team that will conduct the mix and match study is considering Marikina, Muntinlupa, and Davao as pilot implementation sites. They have already identified vaccination sites and have conducted a dry run in Marikina last October 18.)

She added that the team is also preparing for a dry run this October 25 to 29 in Muntinlupa and Davao.

“Dito sa mix and match, malalaman natin kung pwede ba na ‘yung first two shots mo ay itong klase ng bakuna tapos ‘yung pangatlo mo ay ibang klase ng bakuna. Kasi gusto nating malaman kung ‘yung effectivity ng bakuna at safety ng bakuna, ‘yung pangatlo, ay magiging acceptable sa atin,” she explained.

(In the mix and match study, we will see if you can use a different brand of vaccine for a third dose. We want to know the effectiveness and safety of the third dose and if it will be acceptable to us.)

Guevara said the release of results of the study, to be conducted by the Philippine Society for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology may be timely to the possible consideration of administering booster and third doses by the first quarter of next year.

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