Govt revises dose interval for Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine upto 8 weeks

The authorities on Monday revised the interval between two doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine. According to the brand new advice, the second dose of the vaccine should be supplied at 4-8 weeks’ interval after receiving the primary dose. Earlier, the dosage was being supplied at an interval of 4-6 weeks. 

“In view of emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine i.e. Covishield, has been revisited by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19,” the federal government stated. 

The resolution of revised time interval between two doses is relevant solely to Covishield, and to not Covaxin, it additional clarified. The revision of the dose interval comes amid reviews of potential side-effects of the vaccine and its suspension in some European nations. However, the federal government had stated there was “no signal of concern” relating to its use within the nation as of now.

In a letter written by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs immediately, he has famous that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted the suggestions of NTAGI and NEGVAC and has thereafter suggested the States and UTs to make sure the administration of 2nd dose of COVISHIELD to beneficiaries inside this stipulated time interval of 4-8 weeks after 1st dose.

Keeping the prevailing scientific proof in view, it seems that safety is enhanced if the second dose of COVISHIELD is run between 6-8 weeks, however not later than stipulated interval of 8 weeks, the official notice stated. The Union Health Secretary has urged the States and UTs to instruct the involved officers accordingly to undertake needed steps to broadly disseminate the message of revised dosing interval amongst programme managers, vaccinators and recipients of COVISHIELD vaccine and guarantee adherence of the revised dosing interval.

Last week, the federal government had positioned a brand new buy order with the Serum Institute of India (SII) for the availability of 10 crore doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, every costing Rs 157.50, together with GST. 

READ MORE: Pakistan to get 4.5 crore doses of ‘Made In India’ Covishield below GAVI alliance

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