Centre agrees to extend gap between two doses of Covishield from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks

The Union Health Ministry on Thursday accepted the recommendation of the expert panel to extend the gap between the first and second dose of the Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks. The current gap between two doses of the vaccine is 6-8 weeks.

Earlier in the day, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization had recommended the same to the Centre. No changes, however, have been made to the interval of Covaxin.

“This is beneficial both from the efficacy and the immunogenicity standpoint. This is a very good move because this is based on data that the government received on the basis of which they made a good scientific decision to increase the gap,” Adar Poonawalla was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The panel also said that pregnant women can choose their vaccine and lactating women will be eligible after delivery. Currently neither is eligible to get the shots.

The panel also stated that those having laboratory test proven SARS-CoV-2 illness should defer Covid-19 vaccination for six months after recovery.

According to the Union Health Ministry’s current protocol, vaccine is to be taken four to eight weeks after recovery from Covid-19 infection and pregnant and lactating women are not to be administered the shots.

“Based on the available real life evidence particularly from the 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,” a statement by the Union Health Ministry read.

This is the second time in three months that Covishield dosage intervals have been widened. In March, states and UTs were told to increase the gap from 28 days to six-eight weeks “for better results”.

The changes prompted a sarcastic swipe from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who flagged the ever-widening recommended interval between doses.

First, it was 4 weeks for the 2nd dose, then 6-8 weeks and now we are told 12-16 weeks. Is this because there are not enough stocks of the vaccines for all who are eligible or because professional scientific advice says so? Can we expect some transparency from the Modi Govt? pic.twitter.com/DJy31KEA0a

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 13, 2021

“First, it was four weeks for the second dose, then six-eight weeks and now we are told 12-16 weeks. Is this because there are not enough stocks of vaccines… or because professional scientific advice says so?” he asked.

(With inputs from PTI)