Gap between two covishield doses increased to 12-16 weeks

New Delhi : The Centre on May 13 accepted experts' recommendation to increase the gap between two Covishield vaccine doses to 12-16 weeks.

Earlier, the two doses of Serum Institute's Covishield vaccine were given at a gap of six to eight weeks.

The increase in dosage interval was suggested by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) to the Centre's COVID-19 Working Group, claiming that it would provide "better results".

Collecting real life evidences from UK the COVID 19 working group agreed to increase the time gap to 12-16 weeks, said Union Health Ministry in an official release.

"The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted the recommendation of the COVID Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12 -16 weeks," the official release stated.

No changes have been suggested for Covaxin by the working group. It remains at 4-6 weeks.

The decision to increase the time gap comes at a time when states are complaining of shortage of vaccines. With this the opposition has slammed Centre of playing with people's life to hide their inability to provide dosage of vaccines.

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