The government on Thursday widened the gap between two doses of Serum Institute of India’s Covidshield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from four to eight, amid a crippling shortage of vaccines.
The decision was taken after a government panel recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine for 12-16 weeks, reports PTI. The announcement comes amid an acute shortage of vaccines across the country with many states struggling to start vaccination for the age group of 18-45 years. The panel also recommended those testing positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) defer vaccination for six months after recovery.
The recommendations drafted by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), an advisory group on the Covid-19 vaccines, will now be sent to the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) for approval.
Earlier in March, the Centre had increased the gap between two doses of the Serum Institue of India (SII) vaccine from 28 days to six to eight weeks. No change has been suggested for intervals between the two doses of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
