The Centre has changed the gap between the two doses of Covishield twice since the beginning of the vaccination drive in January. In the beginning, the two dosages were supposed to be given four to six weeks apart. The Centre later changed it to four to eight weeks. Now it has now been extended to 12 to 16 weeks. However, the gap between the two doses of Covaxin, the vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, has remained unchanged.
Hindustan Times on May 21 quoted Dr. Balram Bhargava, Indian Council of Medical Research chief stating that the first dose of Covishield results in a greater immunity which remains effective for around 12 weeks. Hence, the decision to delay the second dose has been taken.
“The first dose of Covishield has been shown to provide a significant amount of protection, which can last for up to 12 weeks. After the first dose of Covaxin, however, you do not get the same level of protection. It is only after both the doses of Covaxin are administered, the protection reaches the optimum level,” he informed.
However, speaking with News Karnataka renowned physician Dr. Srinivas Kakkilaya said, the three members of the expert committee have already stated that nobody has suggested the Central Government extend the gap between the two doses. It is the decision of the government itself. The vaccine manufacturing companies are struggling to meet the increasing demands.”
Sharing his views on the effects of the increasing gap between the two doses of Covishield Dr. Kakkilaya told, there is no data available to confirm that it is scientific to increase the interval from 12 to 16 weeks. Even the company has not suggested this, he added.
