13 May , 2021 By : Kanchan Joshi
The protocol for the gap between two doses of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield may increase, news agency PTI reported. The advisory group on the Covid-19 vaccines - National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks. The recommendations will be implemented after the approval of the Health Ministry. Currently, the interval between two doses of Covishield is four to eight weeks.
No change in dosage interval for Covaxin has been suggested by the panel.
The recommendations of the NTAGI will be sent to the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19.
This is the second time in three months Covishield dosage intervals have been widened. Earlier in March states and UTs were told to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks "for better results".
Amid multiple states reporting a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, Serum Institute and said that they can ramp up production up to 10 crore doses by August.
Currently, Bharat Biotech's indigenously developed Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield are being used in India's inoculation drive against coronavirus.
The panel also said pregnant women could choose their vaccine and that lactating women would be eligible any time after delivery.
The NTAGI also advised those testing positive for COVID to defer vaccination till six months after recovery.
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