Centre asks states to prioritise beneficiaries of 2nd vaccine dose

NEW DELHI: The Union government has directed states to prioritise beneficiaries due for their second Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine dose, amid reports of difficulties faced by those unable to schedule a session for a second dose -- the result of a supply crunch.

“Utilise supplies of vaccines through government of India channel in 70:30 ratio for the second dose and first dose respectively. Regular review of coverage of Covid-19 vaccination drive to be undertaken to formulate and implement strategy for such prioritization,” said Arti Ahuja, additional secretary, health, in the Covid briefing.

Vaccine doses provided through the government of India channel are to be used exclusively for those above the age of 45 years and health care and front line workers. In addition, states have started sourcing their own supplies to vaccinate those between the ages of 18 and 45 years.

But over the past few days, there have been several reports of people not being able to schedule their second doses -recommended between 6 and 8 weeks in the case of the Covishield vaccine and 4 and 6 weeks in the case of Covaxin.

Interestingly, the guidance came even as there has been talk of the government extending the gap between doses to 12 weeks in the case of Covishield -- the vaccine administered to over 90% of Indians -- so as to maximise the number of people who receive at least one dose, an immediate priority to crush the ongoing second wave of the pandemic which has seen the last 2 million cases added in just six days. Research has shown that the efficacy of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine -- developed in India as Covishield by Serum Institute of India -- is the highest when there is a 12 week gap between doses.

Interestingly, days after a similar briefing in which the focus was on the inevitability of a third wave, officials said on Friday that India could avoid one.

“If we take strong measures, the third wave may not happen in all the places or indeed anywhere at all. It depends much on how effectively the guidance is implemented at the local level, in the states, in districts and the cities everywhere,” said Prof K Vijay-Raghavan, principal scientific advisor, in the briefing.