The central government is reportedly planning to reduce the gap between the two doses of Oxford–AstraZeneca Covid‑19 vaccine ‘Covishield’. Currently, the gap between the two doses is 84 days.
A few reports revealed that the Centre is said to be discussing the same with experts from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The distribution of the Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in India, began in January this year. Initially, the gap was extended from 4 to 6 weeks. Later, it was increased to 6 to 8 weeks. After considering the experts’ opinions, the central government May and increased the interval between two doses from 12 to 16 weeks. The second dose is currently given after 84 days.
Extending the interval between Covishield doses across the country has led to many questions. It was rumoured that the central government took the decision only because of the shortage of vaccines in the country.
In view of the impact of the latest new variants, the center is said to be reviewing the Covishield deadline and seems prepared to reduce the duration. However, the interval between the two doses of Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, is the same as before.