FDA OKs clinical trial on mixing, matching of vaccines

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the clinical trial on the mixing and matching of different COVID-19 vaccine brands, according to Undersecretary Rowena Guevara of the Department of Science and Technology.

Guevara said the clinical trial was approved on Nov. 16 after the completion of the regulatory review.

The screening of the 3,000 study participants has also begun, she said. The trial will consist of three groups.

The first will be the control group, which will receive Sinovac for their first and second doses.

Another group will be the mix-and-match group who will receive Sinovac for first dose and Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V or Janssen vaccine for second dose.

The third group will receive Sinovac vaccine for first and second doses and will get a different vaccine brand as booster. —Leila B. Salaverria