Centre revisits Covishield vaccine schedule, details inside
2nd dose of COVISHIELD: In the wake of emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine i.e. COVISHIELD, has been revisited by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) in its 20th meeting.
During the meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide a 2nd dose of COVISHIELD at 4-8 weeks’ interval after the 1st dose.
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Earlier, the practiced interval between the two doses was of 4-6 weeks. This decision of revised time interval between two doses is applicable ONLY to COVISHIELD and NOT to COVAXIN Vaccine.
In a letter written by the Union Health Secretary Shri Rajesh Bhushan to the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs, he has noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has accepted the recommendations of NTAGI and NEGVAC.
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Thus, the Centre advised the States and UTs to ensure the administration of the 2nd dose of COIVD-19 vaccine COVISHIELD to beneficiaries within this stipulated time interval of 4-8 weeks after the 1st dose.
Keeping the existing scientific evidence in view, it appears that protection is enhanced if the second dose of COVISHIELD is administered between 6-8 weeks, but not later than the stipulated period of 8 weeks.
The Union Health Secretary has urged the States and UTs to instruct the concerned officials accordingly to undertake necessary steps to widely disseminate the message of revised dosing interval amongst program managers, vaccinators, and recipients of COVISHIELD vaccine and ensure adherence to the revised dosing interval.
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