New Delhi: An expert panel of the government on Thursday recommended that the gap between two doses of the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine can be increased to 12-16 weeks.
However, no change has been suggested for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, whose gap between the two doses stands at four to six weeks.
The panel – the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group – also said pregnant women can choose their vaccine and that lactating women will be eligible any time after delivery. Under current vaccination protocols, neither group is eligible to get the shots.
The NTAGI also advised those with other serious illnesses and in ICU care to wait four-eight weeks.
These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA – the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration – for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.
This is the second time in three months Covishield dosage intervals have been widened; in March states and UTs were told to increase the gap from 28 days to six-eight weeks “for better results”.
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