Blog - Page 8 of 8 - Rxplanation.com

There have been media reports (and social media posts) claiming that the WHO is warning against mixing different COVID-19 vaccines. But, did the WHO (World Health Organization) warn not to mix COVID-19 vaccines? No, in my opinion this is not a fair representation of what was said. This is a great example of something called quote mining. Quote mining essentially means that you are quoting someone out of context. This is often done in a way that will distort the initial meaning of the quote. There are varying levels of severity, but here's an extreme example: Original quote from a scientist: "I don't understand how someone can say that evolution is scientifically impossible. Of course it's possible! The evidence to support evolution is overwhelming." News article quote mining: Scientist states that "...evolution is scientifically impossible". See what I mean? Words taken out of context (when you remove the text surrounding them) can completely change the meaning of what was actually said. What was really said by the WHO: In a press conference on July 12th, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan answered a question from a journalist. Question: "Has the WHO seen any data from Pfizer or any of the other manufacturers that would suggest to WHO that there is a serious decline in efficacy at six months that would require a booster shot? What would trigger the need for a booster shot? Would simply an increase in mild cases be enough or would you need to see an increase in severe cases?" Response: After a colleague explained that people should not be adding booster doses to already vaccinated individuals (those who already received 2 doses of a vaccine), Dr Swaminathan added: "Just to add to what Ann said, I really want to caution folks because there is a tendency now for people in countries with enough availability of vaccines to voluntarily start thinking about an additional dose. There are people who are thinking about mixing and matching. We receive a lot of queries from people who say they've taken one and they're planning to take another one so it's a little bit of a dangerous trend here where people are in a data-free, evidence-free zone as far as mix-and-match. There's limited data on mix-and-match."Dr Soumya Swaminathan; WHO press conference on July 12th What was reported: WHO says of COVID vaccines: "data-free, evidence-free zone as far as mix-and-match. There's limited data on mix-and-match." I'm assuming you see the problem? In my view, it's evident that she was explaining why people shouldn't seek additional mix/match doses on top of a completed vaccine series. Could she have been clearer? Certainly. As a consequence, she clarified her response the next day. But, as with anything else on the internet, the second it's out there you can't get rid of it. Conclusion So, did the WHO warn not to mix COVID-19 vaccines? **Drum roll** Introducing, for the first time, the Rxplanation Bullsh*t Meter: The BS Meter reads an "Almost Bullsh*t" I grade this one as an "Almost Bullsh*t". The only reason it's not total BS is because they technically are quoting words that were said. But as you saw, I don't believe it was in the proper context. As I've already explained in my YouTube video (partnership with Vitalité Health Network), the mRNA vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna are considered interchangeable by NACI in Canada. This is because they share the same mechanism of action and have equivalent efficacy and safety profiles. So someone who received a first dose of Pfizer can receive Moderna as their second dose (if that is the first one available).