Centre reduces gap between 2nd & booster doses of Covid vaccine to 6 months from 9

NEW DELHI: In a move that is expected to enhance coverage of booster or “precaution dose” against Covid-19, the health ministry has reduced the gap between the second and third vaccine shots to six months from the nine months at present.
“In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, the Standing Technical Sub Committee (STSC) of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended to revise the duration between second dose and precaution dose from existing nine months or 39 weeks to six months or 26 weeks. This has also been endorsed by NTAGI,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to states.

The Centre has asked states to implement the decision and also ramp up coverage of booster dose. “Corresponding changes have been made in the Co-Win system to facilitate,” Bhushan added. The government is also working to repurpose the Co-Win platform for universal immunisation, blood donation and organ donation.
The move to reduce gap between second and third doses of Covid vaccine assumes significance as it will help expand coverage of “precaution dose”, which continues to be low even as Covid-19 cases are increasing in many states and Union territories.

So far, around 4.75 crore “precaution doses” or booster shots have been administered across the country.
In May, the Centre relaxed norms for administration of precaution dose and allowed citizens travelling overseas to get the shot before the stipulated nine-month waiting period as required by the guidelines of the destination country.
Recently, the health ministry initiated the second round of its door-to-door ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ vaccination campaign to ramp up coverage of “precaution dose” in adults as well as that of primary two doses among adolescents in the age group of 12-18.