Govt increases gap between Covishield shots to 4-8 wks

Govt increases gap between Covishield shots to 4-8 wks

‘Shield Enhanced If 2nd Jab Taken After 6-8 Weeks’

New Delhi:23.03.2021 

The health ministry on Monday revised the interval between two doses of the Covishield vaccine to 4-8 weeks, from the existing 4-6 weeks, after evidence showed higher efficacy following a longer gap between the shots.

The revised time interval between two doses is applicable only to Covishield and not to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Raising the interval between two doses is also likely to be an added advantage in covering more people as the AstraZeneca shot has been the mainstay of India’s vaccination drive. TNN

Expert groups recommended a longer window between shots

A longer window between shots can partly address concerns that vaccinations, despite the increase in sessions, are still not proceeding fast enough. The government could focus on ensuring that as many people as possible get the first shot with a longer timeframe for the second dose.

In a letter to states and UTs, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “Keeping the existing scientific evidence in view, it appears that protection is enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks, but not later than stipulated period of 8 weeks.”

The move is based on recommendation by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) and by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) after reviewing the issue in accordance with the emerging scientific evidence. “During this meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide second dose of Covishield at 4-8 weeks’ interval after the first dose, instead of earlier practised interval of 4-6 weeks,” the ministry said.

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