Oxford study suggests mixing vaccines could provide good protection

Early results from a University of Oxford study suggest being vaccinated with two types of vaccines could offer protection against COVID-19.

During the trial, participants produced high levels of antibodies and immune cells after a dose of the Pfizer vaccine and a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

University of Oxford vaccine expert Dr Matthew Snape said administering the vaccines in either order was likely to provide protection.

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"Any of these schedules, I think could be argued, would be expected to be effective," Dr Snape said.

During the trial, which began in February, more than 800 volunteers received one of four combinations of the vaccine - either two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca or one of both in different orders.

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Researchers waited four weeks between the first and second dose of the vaccines.

The research team is running a second trial with a 12-week delay between shots.

The results of this trial are expected to be delivered next month.

In Australia, the current medical advice is Australians who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca should still proceed with their second.

The advice comes after the government raised the recommended minimum age from 50 to 60 earlier this month.

On Monday, national cabinet agreed to several changes to Australia's vaccine rollout.