New Delhi (NVI): The Centre today asked the States and Union Territors to increase the interval between two doses of coronavirus vaccine ‘Covishield’ to six-to-eight weeks based on experts recommendations.
The two doses of the ‘Covishield’ vaccine are currently being administered across India with a gap of 28 days.
“In view of the emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine i.e. COVISHIELD, has been revisited by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) in its 20th meeting,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
During the meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide second dose of ‘COVISHIELD’ at 4 to 8 weeks’ interval after the first dose, instead of earlier practiced interval of 4 to 6 weeks.
This decision of revised time interval between two doses is applicable only to ‘COVISHIELD’ and not to ‘COVAXIN’, the ministry noted.
In a letter written by the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Bhushan has noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has accepted the recommendations of NTAGI and NEGVAC.
“Thereafter advised the States and UTs to ensure the administration of 2nd dose of COVISHIELD to beneficiaries within this stipulated time interval of 4-8 weeks after 1st dose,” he added.
The letter also informed that the scientific evidence suggests that protection is enhanced if the second dose of COVISHIELD is administered between 6 to 8 weeks, but not later than stipulated period of 8 weeks.
Further, the health secretary urged the States and UTs to instruct the concerned officials accordingly to undertake necessary steps to widely disseminate the message of revised dosing interval amongst programme managers, vaccinators and recipients of COVISHIELD vaccine and ensure adherence of the revised dosing interval, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the second dose of ‘Covaxin’ for now will continue to be taken at an interval of 28 days as prescribed earlier.
-RJV
