The Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University is looking for volunteers who have had two different types of COVID-19 vaccine, its chief announced on Thursday.
The institute has now opened registration for people who have received one each of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca jabs, Dr Yong Poovorawan, a top virologist leading the country’s COVID-19 situation, posted on Facebook.
Volunteers must wait at least a month after the second dose to be tested on their immune response.
The announcement came after the doctor this week reported preliminary findings that mixing different brands can provoke a significantly stronger immune response compared with two doses of the same vaccine.
The Department of Disease Control ruled out mixing the two vaccines except in cases of a “severe allergic reaction.”
Officials said there is not enough data to support mixing the vaccines as a standard measure to help cover supply shortages.
“The administration of vaccines would be much easier, faster, and efficient” if giving a different vaccine for the second dose was more widely accepted, Dr Yong said Sunday.
Those interested in volunteering for the study can register.
The institute also put out a call for postdoctoral fellows or doctors specializing in virology and immunology to join their research programme on COVID-19.
Interested researchers can call 02-256-4909, 02-256-4929, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. (NNT)
 |
 |
 |
