Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (Health), PK Mohapatra, has sent a letter to all Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and CDMPHOs stating that the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is set to make changes in CoWIN to increase the minimum period between 1st and 2nd dose for COVISHIELD from 42 days (6weeks) to 84 days (12weeks).
Besides, the changes will be effective from midnight of 14th May.
Implications:
- Further online or on-site appointments will not be possible if the period after 1st dose date for a beneficiary is less than 84 days (12weeks).
- Already booked online appointments for 2nd dose are not being cancelled by COWIN. Beneficiaries may be advised through suitable IEC that they should reschedule their appointments. If however, a pre-booked beneficiary chooses to take the 2nd dose of vaccine even if the period for him/her is less than 84 days, COWIN system will allow vaccination of such beneficiaries.
Reportedly, the load of 2nd dose COVISHIELD due beneficiaries at District level will be minimal. Hence priority shall be given to vaccinate 1st dose COVISHIELD beneficiaries i.e. HCW, FLW and 45 years & above.
The changes are asked to be widely publicised and communicated to all Program officers, Program managers, vaccinators, verifier, and Citizens.
