12-16 weeks gap between 2 Covishield jabs okayed

12-16 weeks gap between 2 Covishield jabs okayed

New Delhi:14.05.2021 

The Centre on Thursday approved extending the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks following the recommendations of a government panel. There is no change in interval of Covaxin vaccine doses.

The Covid working group chaired by Dr N K Arora has recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks. Niti Aayog member and head of the expert group on vaccines Dr V K Paul said the decision has been taken on basis of the experience of the UK where the 12-week gap norm was implemented. TNN

Vax maker ready to share formula

With states urging the Centre to share the formula of Covid vaccines with other manufacturers, Niti Aayog’s V K Paul on Thursday said that Bharat Biotech has welcomed the idea. “We give an open invitation to firms who want to do this.” 

4-6 week interval based on studies: Doc V K Paul

He said the earlier 4-6 week interval was based on studies but now there is data from actual implementation of the more spaced out schedule.

Health minister Harshvardhan said the “decision has been taken based on recommendations given by Covid working group after analysing emerging evidence.” The recommendation of the Covid Working Group was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC). Dr Paul said the technical group that evaluated the evidence was drawn from different quarters and did a thorough job of its recommendations.

In a statement issued by ministry said that “based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from UK, the Covid-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of Covishield vaccine. No change in interval of Covaxin vaccine doses was recommended”.

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to states and UTs to take steps to widely disseminate the information about the dosage gap among programme managers, vaccinators and recipients.

Times View

The government’s constantly shifting stance on the ideal interval between Covishield doses is befuddling. Without speculating on the possible causes, we would like to point out that frequent changes don’t inspire confidence. Winning people’s trust is key in the vaccination battle against coronavirus.