No need for changing current dosage interval of COVISHIELD vaccine: NITI Aayog
The Chairman of the national Covid-19 Vaccine Administration task force on Tuesday said that there was no need to change the current dosage gap of the Covishield vaccine from 12 to 16 weeks.
According to the NITI Aayog member and Chairperson National Expert Group on Vaccines Administration, VK Paul, there was no such need to change the interval of the dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine Covishield which is currently 12-16 weeks.
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He further added, “We are collecting data under the National Vaccine Tracking System - and doing real-time evaluation regarding effectiveness of vaccines, dose interval, region-wise impact, variants; at present, no need is felt for changing dose interval of COVISHIELD. The basic principle is that our people should get the maximum benefit from every dose of the vaccine. We find that the current dosages are proving to be beneficial.”
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In India, the gap between two Covishield doses was 4-6 weeks which was later increased to 12-16 weeks.
NK Arora, the chairperson of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization said that India has the capacity to manage 1.25 crore vaccines in a day and about 20-22 vaccine doses will be available by July.
Arora further told that the target was to vaccinate at least 1 crore people each day. “We are collecting data under the National Vaccine Tracking System, and also doing real-time evaluation regarding effectiveness of vaccines, dose interval, region-wise impact, and variants. At present, no need is felt for changing the dosing interval of Covishield,” said Dr. Arora.
When asked to comment on whether the third wave will occur soon or not, VK Paul said, “It is in our hands, it can be stopped if appropriate COVID Behavior is followed and the majority of people get vaccinated. There are many countries where the second wave has not even hit so if we in India follow the appropriate COVID Behavior then there is no need that third wave will hit us.”
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