The Government of India (GoI) increased the gap between the two doses of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 vaccine.
The decision was taken after scientific evidence suggested that protection is enhanced if the 2nd dose of Covishield, the Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactured vaccine is administered between 6 to 8 weeks. However, the GoI emphasises and said the second dose should not exceed 8 weeks. Previously, the second dose was given with an interval of 4 to 6 weeks.
As per the recommendations, the Central Government wrote to states and Union Territories (UTs) governments asking them to increase the gap between the two doses of Covishield.
The letter stated, “In view of emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine i.e. COVISHIELD, has been revisited by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19.” It further read, “This decision of the revised time interval between two doses is applicable ONLY to COVISHIELD and NOT to COVAXIN Vaccine.”
Meanwhile, so far, the nationwide COVID- 19 vaccination drive has administered the vaccination to 4,50,65,998 people till date.
