The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommended a gap of 12 to 16 weeks between the two doses of Covisheild.
On the 13th of May, the NTAGI studied and recommended to increase the gap for the second time. During the launch of the Serum Institute of India’s (SII,) Covisheild was to be given within a 28 days gap, later it was revised to a gap of 4 to 6 weeks. This is the second time in three months that the interval between the two doses has been revised.
However, a final decision regarding the same would be taken by the Union Health Ministry. The recommendation of the NTAGI has been sent to the Union Health Ministry for approval.
Meanwhile, there is no new recommendation about the interval in administering COVAXIN doses. The Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Private Limited manufactured COVAXIN is being administered with an interval of 4-6 weeks.
The panel also said pregnant women could choose their vaccine and that lactating women would be eligible any time for the vaccination after delivery. In addition, the NTAGI has also stated that those having laboratory test proven SARS-CoV-2 illness should defer COVID-19 vaccination for six months after recovery
Currently, India is administering the two India made vaccines, one is Covisheild and the second is COVAXIN.
So far, close to 17.4 crore people were given the COVID-19 vaccination doses. Of the total vaccinated people, 3.73 crore people took both the shots against the Wuhan Virus (COVID-19.)
Stay tuned for further updates.
