Interval between two doses of COVISHIELD increased to 4-8 weeks

“The interval between two doses of a specific COVID-19 vaccine i.e. COVISHIELD, has been revisited by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) in its 20th meeting, in view of the emerging scientific evidence. During this meeting the recommendation has been revised to provide the second dose of COVISHIELD at 4-8 weeks’ interval after the first dose, instead of earlier practised interval of 4-6 weeks. This decision of revised time interval between two doses is applicable only to COVISHIELD and NOT to COVAXIN vaccine,” said a statement from the Health Ministry.

A letter from Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary to the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs notes that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has accepted the recommendations of NTAGI and NEGVAC and advises the States and UTs to ensure the administration of the second dose of COVISHIELD to beneficiaries within this stipulated time interval of 4-8 weeks after the first dose.

The statement from the Health Ministry informs, “Keeping the existing scientific evidence in view, it appears 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. The Union Health Secretary has urged the States and UTs to instruct the concerned officials accordingly to undertake necessary steps to widely disseminate the message of revised dosing interval amongst programme managers, vaccinators and recipients of COVISHIELD vaccine and ensure adherence of the revised dosing interval.”