FDA approves COVID-19 vaccine mix-and-match trials; screening begins

The Philippine FDA approved on Nov. 17 the country's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mix-and-match trials.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced Friday, Nov. 19, that they have begun screening participants for the trials.

DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara stated that the regulatory review was finished and the application was approved by the FDA on Nov. 16.

The trial has also started screening participants the next day in their trial site in Marikina City.

Health workers who will receive COVID-19 boosters will not affect this mix-and-match study.

The trial needs 3,000 volunteers who have not been vaccinated, aiming to collect more data on vaccine combinations, especially involving Sinovac.

The original summary mentioned that participant enlistment was ongoing and results were anticipated by the first quarter of next year, and that the government had approved booster shots for health workers with specific brand combinations allowed.