Vaccine shortages and safety concerns have already forced some countries to try the approach, but experts told NPR heterologous vaccination can also better prepare the body to fight off COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 vaccines work by essentially showing the body what it would look like if the coronavirus were to invade. Each drugmaker’s way of simulating coronavirus infection is different, so the body could do a better job of recognizing and fighting off the virus if it has seen two different pictures of what infection could look like.
“If you give two different types of vaccine, then you tend to get a better immune response than if you give the same vaccine twice,” said Helen Fletcher, PhD, a professor of immunology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Bali Pulendran, PhD, a professor of immunology and microbiology at Stanford University, said heterologous vaccination has been successfully tested for a variety of other vaccines, such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
