Government recommends 12-16 week gap for Covishield vaccine, no suggestions for Covaxin interval yet

The Covid Working Group chaired by Dr N K Arora has recommended the extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from the present gap of 6-8 weeks.

The Covid-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from UK. However, the group has not made any recommendations regarding the changes in the interval of Covaxin vaccine doses. The gap between two doses of Covaxin is four to six weeks.

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The recommendation was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), headed by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog in its meeting on May 12, 2021.

While people who have recovered from Covid-19 are required to wait for at least six months before getting vaccinated, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has suggested.

As per a report by India.com, the NTAGI stated that those having laboratory tests proven SARS-CoV-2 illness should defer Covid-19 vaccination for six months after recovery.

The government panel has also suggested that pregnant women may be offered the choice to take any Covid-19 vaccine and that lactating women can be inoculated any time after delivery, as per the report.

The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 will be receiving the recommendations of the NTAGI.

Adar Poonawala’s Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactures Covishield in India.

Currently, India is facing an acute shortage of doses due to the rising demand for vaccination. Some states have even halted vaccination for the age group of 18-44 years because of the shortfall.