A number of EU Member States apply a vaccination strategy involving the administration of a second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine from that used for the first dose. For example, some EU citizens may receive a first dose of Vaxzevria, and a second dose of Comirnaty. This process is called heterologous vaccination (sometimes called "mix and match").
Luxembourg is not yet applying this strategy in its vaccination campaign. However, a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on this subject is expected by the end of June. The Agency is currently analysing the data from different studies and will take a position as soon as this analysis is completed. Preliminary results from studies in Spain and Germany suggest a satisfactory immune response. More data are expected soon, including from the COM-COV and COM-COV-2 studies, which are investigating a series of vaccination schemes in which the first and second doses are given with different vaccines.
As soon as the EMA's position is known, the government will decide whether the vaccination strategy should be adapted. In the meantime, the administration of either type of vaccine is a case-by-case assessment made by the physician based on the health condition of the person invited to be vaccinated. For individuals with a history of thromboembolism with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT or HIT type 2), and for whom a 2nd dose of the same vaccine is contraindicated, the vaccination scheme may be completed with a dose of Comirnaty, within 8-12 weeks or whenever clinically indicated.
Luxembourg pays particular attention to the enhanced monitoring of the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines through the national reporting system and is making every effort to ensure that the vaccination campaign is as safe and effective as possible while achieving a broad vaccination coverage.
Press release by the Ministry of Health