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Is a mix and match COVID‑19 vaccine booster effective?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am planning to book my booster appointment online. I have had two doses of Pfizer. I am confused about whether to take Pfizer or Moderna as my booster shot. It has been more than four months since I took my last vaccination. Please suggest on this.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arpit Varshney is an MD Medicine Doctor and a Physician with six years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, and MD Medicine from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. He is qualified to treat acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients. Currently, he is working in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query in detail and understand your concern. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are RNA (ribonucleic acid) vaccines. The mechanism in both of them will be the same. Also, the reported efficacy of both the vaccines is also the same.

However, there are minute differences among the available vaccines. Considering that you have taken the Pfizer vaccine and your body has responded to it, switching to Moderna might not produce the response as will be expected with Pfizer.

I would suggest you go with Pfizer only as you have had Pfizer earlier and have not had any reaction. If you take the new Moderna vaccine, it will be difficult to predict if you are going to have an allergic reaction to it. But Pfizer is safe in this aspect.

Hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Regards.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Infanteena Marily F.
Published At March 31, 2022
Reviewed At December 29, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arpit Varshney is an MD Medicine Doctor and a Physician with six years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, and MD Medicine from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. He is qualified to treat acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients. Currently, he is working in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Infanteena Marily F. is a dedicated Dental Surgeon, having graduated with a BDS degree from J.K.K.N. Dental College and Hospital in 2018. With 5 years of clinical experience, she provides personalized treatment plans to patients by emphasizing effective communication. She serves as a Medical Quality Assurance Analyst at iCliniq.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arpit Varshney is an MD Medicine Doctor and a Physician with six years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, and MD Medicine from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. He is qualified to treat acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients. Currently, he is working in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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