Health authorities approve Covid 19 vaccine mixing – Capital Radio Malawi
29 March, 2024

Health authorities approve Covid 19 vaccine mixing

Malawians can now opt to receive two different types of Covid19 vaccines following scientific evidence showing that mixing different serums is equally safe.

This is according to a statement from the Health Ministry signed by Secretary for Health, Charles Mwansambo.

As such, those that are due for AstraZeneca as second dose can get Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson to complete their dosage.

Since the launch of the vaccination exercise in March last year, health authorities have been administering three types of vaccines namely; AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer.

The two-dose AstraZeneca and Pfizer as well as one dose Johnson and Johnson have been available for those aged 18 and above while children from the age of 12 have been encouraged to get the Pfizer jab in order to boost the immunity.

In the statement, Mwansambo explains that local and international evidence has shown that these vaccines are safe and have reduced the risk of severe diseases and hospitalization due to COVID-19 hence reducing deaths.

Mwansambo; People can mix the vaccines

“So far, there are no safety issues with those that have received Pfizer as a booster dose after Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca in the primary series”, say Mwansambo.


Mwansambo further encourages the public to get a booster dose after receiving and completing the primary series of any type of Covid-19 vaccine.

He explains that those that have received booster doses have a stronger immunity than those who got the primary series only especially for people with underlying health factors.

According to Mwansambo people above 60 years of age, those with underlying diseases or chronicconditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are at increasedrisk of severe disease than the rest of the population.

Over 2.2 million people are currently fully vaccinated.

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