Centre Asks States, UTs To Increase Gap Between Two Doses Of 'Covishield' By 6-8 Weeks - Here's Why

Based on the recommendation of two expert panels, the centre noted that immunity is enhanced if the second jab of the Covishield vaccine is administered after 6-8 weeks instead of the current guideline of four to six weeks.

The Central government has asked the state and union territory governments to increase the gap between the two doses of Serum Institute of India's (SII) 'Covishield' vaccine from 4-6 weeks to 6-8 weeks for 'enhanced protection'.

Based on the recommendation of two expert panels, the centre noted that immunity is enhanced if the second jab of the Covishield vaccine is administered after 6-8 weeks instead of the current guideline of four to six weeks.

As quoted in the several media reports, centre in a letter to the state governments said that "the interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, has been revisited by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 and it has appeared that protection was enhanced if the second dose of Covishield was administered between six and eight weeks but not later than that."

It is to be noted that revised interval applies only to Serum Institute of India’s Covishield. The new directions have come in the middle of the ongoing vaccination drive in the country.

Covishield and Covaxin have been used in the vaccination drive that rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers to start with and then frontline workers. As of now, over 4.50 crore vaccine doses have been given across the country.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry in its regular health bulletin on Monday said that India reported 46,951 new coronavirus infections, a four-month high and the highest so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,16,46,081.

The ministry further said that out of the total new cases across the country, 83.14 percent cases are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya. According to the ministry, new cases are increasing every day in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat and Haryana. Pradesh.