British researchers want to combine different vaccine preparations.
Could this be the game changer in the event of delivery bottlenecks?
London - There is still a global shortage of vaccines, the manufacturer's delivery bottlenecks are not only causing problems in Germany.
A new vaccination study from Great Britain could now give hope in the corona pandemic, if it is successful.
British scientists plan to conduct a clinical study to test the effectiveness of the vaccine when combining two different active ingredients.
According to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the two vaccines previously approved in Great Britain from Biontech / Pfizer and Oxford / Astrazeneca are to be injected in different sequences as first and second doses.
Corona: vaccine study started in the UK - change in intervals?
More vaccines could be added later, the NIHR said.
The study, which was launched in England on Thursday 4th February, is expected to include more than 800 volunteers aged 50 and over.
At the same time, the researchers also want to find out what effect different intervals of four to twelve weeks between the administration of the two vaccine doses.
As in Germany, both vaccines are currently being administered at intervals of up to twelve weeks.
Complete protection only exists after the second vaccination.
Corona in Great Britain: Hardly any second vaccinations - combination vaccines better?
In Great Britain, more than ten million people have already received a first vaccination dose, and so far only around 500,000 people have been vaccinated twice, less than in Germany.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who plans to have 15 million people vaccinated by mid-February, called the number a "milestone".
"Many people and groups are responsible for the UK vaccination program," he said.
"It is thanks to your commitment, the greatest in the history of our national health system, that we have passed this milestone today."
In the event that vaccine supply bottlenecks continue, it is definitely an advantage to have data that allows more flexible vaccine distribution, said the UK government's deputy chief medical advisor, Jonathan Van-Tam.
"It is also possible that the combination of vaccines could increase the immune response and produce a longer lasting and higher level of antibodies," said Van-Tam.
That must now be tested.
Russian researchers announced a similar study at the end of 2020.
A combination of the Russian vaccine "Sputnik V" and the vaccine from the British pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca will be used.
In this country, Health Minister Jens Spahn and RKI boss comment on the vaccinations.
(md with dpa and AFP)
