‘Covaxin protection after 1st dose not high as Covishield’

‘Covaxin protection after 1st dose not high as Covishield’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:21.05.2021

The interval between the two doses of Covishield has been increased to 12-18 weeks as the first dose developed strong immunity but the four week gap for Covaxin is unchanged as the immunity after the initial shot is not as high.

Explaining the government decision to make a three month interval mandatory for Covishield, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, Indian Council of Medical Research head Dr Balram Bhargava said the immunity post the first shot was found to be quite strong. He said a three month gap will give the best results.

“On the other hand, the immunity level after the first shot of Covaxin is not as high and this means the second dose should be taken after four weeks to ensure the full level of efficacy,” Dr Bhargava said.

He also said the recommendation that those who had contracted Covid or persons who came down with after the first does wait three months for their vaccination was based on the assessment that patients who recover from the disease have sufficient anti-bodies.

“It is not clear how long the anti-bodies last...six or seven months. So it is advised that vaccination be done or completed after a three month interval,” Dr Bhargava said.

The four-week gap between two doses of Covaxin remains unchanged