Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether, in the event of an adverse reaction to the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine, it is possible for a person to have two further vaccines from either Moderna or Pfizer.

The Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory products Regulatory Authority’s guidance on the authorisation of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, last updated on 15 April, provides advice on the authorisation conditions of the vaccine. Its contra-indications advice states that people who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts after their first AstraZeneca dose should not receive their second dose.

Mixing vaccines is not advised at this time, as evidence on the effects of mixing a two-dose schedule of vaccines is still emerging. Subsequently offering a two-dose schedule of a different vaccine to patients who experienced such blood clots is not advised as the effects of adding such a schedule are unknown. Those who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts from their first AstraZeneca vaccination should talk to their doctor.