The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    ET Explains: Why did India extend the gap between Covishield vaccine doses?

    Synopsis

    Covishield was okayed for emergency use by the DCGI in January. According to media reports yesterday, the Central government has ordered 12 crore more shots — 10 crore Covishield and the rest Covaxin — from Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech.

    ET Explains: Why did India extend the gap between Covishield doses?AFP
    The new interval will only be applicable to Covishield.
    India today announced that the gap between doses of Covishield vaccine would be extended to up to eight weeks. Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, is made in India by the Serum Institute and is supplied to many places across the world.

    Why the change
    The decision was announced after an expert panel backed such a course of action.

    The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation had arrived at its decision in a meeting last week. At the meeting, "strong scientific rationale was presented" that a 4-8 week is most suitable for Indians.

    A Lancet report early this month had showed that a longer gap before the second shot makes for a higher efficacy rate (as much as 90%), compared to if given after 4-6 weeks of the first.

    What did the research exactly find?
    Studies on Covishield showed that a gap of 6-12 weeks after the first dose is likely to make the booster dose more effective.

    The Health Ministry said that "protection is enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks, but not later than stipulated period of 8 weeks."

    What is the current practice?
    The existing gap between doses being followed in India is 4-6 weeks.

    Will the newly mandated gap be applicable to all vaccines?
    No, this will only be applicable to Covishield. For Covaxin, the one made by Bharat Biotech, the existing gap between doses (4-6 weeks) will continue to apply.

    Have others done such extensions as well?
    UK and Canada, who are among the countries administering Covishield to their citizens, have expanded the gap to four months.

    What does the WHO recommend?
    The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a six-week interval between the doses.

    Covishield was approved for emergency use by the Drugs Controller General of India in January. According to media reports yesterday, the Central government has ordered 12 crore more shots — 10 crore Covishield and the rest Covaxin — from Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech.

    Meanwhile, urgent missives have been sent to the States and United Territories to follow the revised dosing regimen.


    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    ( Originally published on Mar 22, 2021 )
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in