At least 3,000 participants in eight sites are being eyed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the trials involving the “mixing and matching” of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara, during the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, July 13, said that preparations for the implementation of mix and match vaccine trials have started in June.
Guevara explained that the COVID-19 vaccines available locally will be used in the mix and match trials.
“We will use the vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik, and Sinovac Vaccine in the mix and match study among 3,000 participants,” Guevara said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The participants in the mix and match studies, Guevara explained, will be gathered in eight proposed sites which include Manila, Pasig, Antipolo, Marikina, Makati, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Cebu City and Davao City.
Guevara, who also chairs the Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection (TG-VES), said “there will be a meeting” of the proponents and other concerned groups on July 15 to talk about the implementation of mix and match trial studies.
To ensure uniformity and consistency, Guevara said that individuals who will take part in the studies will be “those who have not been vaccinated” yet.
She added that volunteers will also be screened before participating in the said trials.