The Health Ministry on Thursday accepted the recommendation of COVID-19 Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Serum Institute of India’s Covishield vaccine to 12 -16 weeks.
“We are happy to report that 1/3rd of 45 and above are protected. 45 and above age group contributes to 88% of deaths. So you can imagine, how much dent it would have made to reduce the risk of death of this population,” Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog said.
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also took to Twitter to make the announcement.
Gap between 2 doses of #CovishieldVaccine has been increased to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks currently.
Decision has been taken based on recommendations given by COVID working group after analysing emerging evidence.@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/kRbbjxGKSJ
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 13, 2021
The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) had recommended an increase in the gap between two doses of Serum Institute of India’s Covishield vaccines to 12-16 weeks.
However, no such changes were recommend in the intervals of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Sources said, “The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommends for increasing gap between two doses of COVISHIELD to 12-16 weeks. No change in interval of COVAXIN.”
This is the second increase in interval for Covishield in three months. In March, the Centre told states and UTs to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks for better results.
These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA – the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration – for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.
Earlier, a study published in medical journal The Lancet on February 19 claimed a 26.2 per cent increase – from 55.1 per cent to 81.3 per cent – if doses were spaced 12 or more weeks apart.
NTAGI comprises of government representatives from the Department of Women and Child Development, internal finance division in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Biotechnology, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) along with health experts.
India started the world’s largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated first. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2.
The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from April 1. (With ANI inputs)