FDA Recommends Mixing And Matching Of Vaccines, Awaits Guidance From The CDC

The Food and Drug Administration has given the OK to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines. The agency also gave the green light for booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials have taken a lot into consideration when it comes to mixing and matching.

In their advisory meeting Thursday, they recommended sticking with the same product used for the primary series, but if that isn't available, they can mix and match.

"The clinical trial was looking at all of them," said Blaine Bolding, Chief of Public Health Protection with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department. "But it looks likely that the Johnson and Johnson might receive one of the mRNA vaccines."

Bolding said despite a lack of interest in receiving first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, there is heighted interest in booster doses.

"We have vaccines around every corner now," said Bolding. "So, we have enough vaccines to meet the demand."

The National Institute of Health released a study this week that found those who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine had stronger antibody levels after they received a booster of an mRNA vaccine, compared to if they got a booster of Johnson and Johnson.

The study also found that people originally vaccinated with a two-dose series of Moderna or Pfizer and got a booster shot of one or the other had almost equally strong immune responses.

"Likely Friday this week will be the first day we can give boosters," said Bolding.

But before mixing and matching is given the green light, the CDC director must approve or modify a CDC advisory panel's vote on boosters. Then clinical guidance will be released on mixing and matching.

If you do mix and match with the booster dose, federal health officials said you still must wait the allotted time after your initial series to get that booster.