Centre increases gap between two doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks

No change in gap between Covaxin shots Over 200 cr vaccine shots will be available by end of 2021: Govt

In a decision that signals the acute shortage of Covid-19 vaccinations, the Centre on Thursday increased the gap between the two doses of Covishield from existing six-eight weeks to 12-16 weeks. There is no change in the gap between the other vaccine, Covaxin.

The decision comes amid a huge rush among people to get vaccinated to escape the harsh effects of Covid-19.

This is the second time the gap between the two doses of Covishiled has been increased after it was earlier permitted with foureight weeks’ of spacing.

India on Thursday recorded about 3.63 lakh new cases of Covid-19 and 4,120 deaths due to it.

The decision for higher spacing between two shots comes amid speculation that it has been done in view of shortage of the vaccines. However, the Union health ministry said the decision to increase time was based on the recommendations of the Covid-19 Working Group and was a “completely science-based decision”. This Working group has also said that those who test positive for Covid-19 should not go for vaccination for six months after recovery.

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of SSI, was quoted in reports as saying that the longer gap between jabs is “beneficial both from the efficacy and the immunogenicity standpoint”.

“This is a very good move because this is based on data that the government received on the basis of which they made a good scientific decision to increase the gap,” Mr Poonawalla said.

“Based on the available real-life new evidences that have come from Oxford, the Covid-19 Working Group agreed to increase the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of Covishield vaccine. No change in interval of Covaxin vaccine doses

was recommended,” ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava said, adding that in the coming days more scientific data in this regard will be presented.

NitiAayog member Dr V.K. Paul underlined there was no pressure from any side to increase the gaps. “It was done in good faith without any pressure with the sole purpose of providing protection cover to the people of India. It was felt that otherwise breakthrough infections will increase. Reviewing the vaccine doses is a constant and dynamic process.

Several other countries are doing it. The UK and WHO have already increased space between Covishield and other vaccines like Pfizer, but many countries did not change the vaccination pattern. We have taken a scientific decision,” Dr Paul said. He added that there will be no impact on the efficacy of the vaccine due to this extension and a single dose itself is very strong.

Facing criticism over the shortage of vaccines in several states, the Centre tried to clarify its position saying states have been given the flexibility to buy from vaccine manufacturers directly and can also take supplies from Centre. He said Delhi has been so far given 75 crore of Covaxin and apart from that the UT government has procured 1 lakh and the private sector has bought 20 lakh doses. The Delhi government has stopped giving Covaxin shots citing shortage of doses.

Dr Paul said in the coming six months more than 200 crore doses of various vaccines will be available in the country to significantly boost the vaccination drive as the Covid-19 virus has started spreading to rural areas now.