WHO does not recommend switching vaccine brands, provides guidance on Moderna jab

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The World Health Organization put out a statement Jan. 25 detailing recommendations for first and second dosage protocol of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. They state that at this time, the benefits of taking what is the mRNA-1273 vaccine outweigh the risks. They further write:
- The (Moderna) mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Moderna (Moderna COVID-19 vaccine) has been shown to have an efficacy of 94.1% based on a median follow-up of two months.
- High efficacy was maintained across all age groups (above 18 years), and was not affected by sex or ethnicity.
Addionally, with much talk about switching vaccine brands mid-stream, WHO states that this is not recommended. Yet, if this occurs accidentally, one should not re-take a second vaccine dose, i.e. don't start with Moderna, switch to Pfizer, then take an additional "second" dosage. WHO further write that efficacy after just the first dose of the Moderna vaccine is 91.9%, starting 14 days after the first dose. The current protocal is 28 days before administration of the second dose. If administered slightly before or after, do not repeat the dosing. The longest period for recommended second dose is 42 days.
However, the evidence for extending the second dose timing is "not strong" and more research should be done. WHO also advises not to halve the doses, and each dose should be 50 micrograms (mcg). There is also no present evidence that boosters will be necessary for this vaccine. "The need for and timing of booster doses will be evaluated as further data accumulate." For more information, visit WHO.

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