Mix-and-Match Vaccines to Boost a Better Immunity against Covid-19 in Jazan region

Abstract

Background: Several European countries are recommending that some people who were given the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, get another vaccine for their second dose because of safety concerns. Researchers expected that such mix–and–match vaccination regimens will trigger stronger more robust immune responses than will two doses of a single vaccine. Purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of mix-and-match vaccines to boost a better immunity against Covid-19 in Jazan Area. Design: A retrospective study was utilized using an online questionnaire among COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. Data collection tool: Infection rates were determined after receiving COVID-19 among both recipient’s groups (one-type and different type vaccine). Results: Out of 924 participants, 528 received one type of COVID-19 vaccine and 396 had been vaccinated with different types of vaccines. Both groups showed low infection rates after receiving the second dose of vaccination, but in the case of receiving the same type of vaccination, the percentage of injuries after the third dose doubled (40%), while the infection rates remained the same (31%) after receiving the third dose in the case of receiving different types of vaccinations. Conclusions: the study revealed that, both types of vaccines showed a positive effect to reduce the incidence of infections after two vaccination doses. However, the impact of the mixed vaccines in the booster doses appears after the second dose.