Centre has written to all the states and union territories to increase the interval between two doses of Serum Insititute of India's Covishield.
In view of the emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of Covishield has been revisited by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) in its 20th meeting
During this meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide 2nd dose of Covishield at 4-8 weeks' interval after the 1st dose, instead of earlier practiced interval of 4-6 weeks. It is imperative to note that this decision of revised time interval between two doses is applicable ONLY to COVISHIELD and NOT to Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN Vaccine.
In a letter written by the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs today, he has noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted the recommendations of NTAGI and NEGVAC and has thereafter advised the States and UTs to ensure the administration of 2nd dose of Covishield to beneficiaries within this stipulated time interval of 4-8 weeks after 1st dose.
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 the stipulated period of 8 weeks.
The Union Health Secretary has urged the States and UTs to instruct the concerned officials accordingly to undertake necessary, steps to widely disseminate the message of revised dosing interval amongst programme managers, vaccinators and recipients of Covishield vaccine and ensure adherence of the revised dosing interval.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday, while speaking in Lok Sabha, said no one should have any doubts about the COVID-19 vaccines. He also urged everyone to take the vaccine doses without fear.
"No one should have any doubts about the COVID-19 vaccines. I urge all to take the vaccine shots," said the Union Minister.
