Gap between Covishield doses extended | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Covid-19 Working Group recommended extending the gap between two Covishield doses to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks.

As per its recommendations, the government accepted to extend the gap. The Union Health Ministry says that the interval between two doses of Covishield has been extended based on real-life evidence. Especially, the Covid-19 Working Group, from the UK, decided to increase the gap between two doses of the vaccine. The existing data shows that a longer interval between two doses of Covishield reduces severe infections.

Hence, the Indian government also accepted extending the interval between two does. It is said that the extension of Covishield dosage intervals increases the efficacy.

A study was published in the international medical journal, The Lancet, on this matter. As per the study, the widening of intervals between two doses increased the efficacy of the vaccine to 81.3% from 55.1%.

Since the study showed the longer gap increased the efficacy, the government approved extending the gap to protect people from severe infections.

NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul said that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 accepted extending the interval based on real-life experiences. The review has been done from time to time. The current review suggests the safer gap between two doses of the vaccine is 12-16 weeks.

According to the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, COVID-recovered patients shall take vaccination after six months of their recovery.

Patients who underwent convalescent plasma therapy or treatment of monoclonal antibodies can defer their vaccination for three months. Also, those who suffered from critical illness or took ICU care should wait for four to eight weeks for their vaccination.

However, there is no change in the interval between two doses of Covaxin. Experts said that as per the available data, the present recommended interval between two doses of Covaxin is 4-6 weeks.

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