The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended shortening the time gap between the first and second doses of Covid vaccine Covishield to 8 to 16 weeks in view of ongoing Omicron pandemic, said a source on Sunday.
Presently, the second dose of Covishield is being administered 12-16 weeks after the first dose under the national vaccination drive.
India’s apex body on immunisation now recommends this be curbed to ramp up the administration of the second dose of Covishield to the remaining population amid rising cases in European nations and some other countries.
Based on recommendations from NTAGI, which provides guidance to the Union Health Ministry on immunisation, the government extended the gap between the first and second doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks on May 13, 2021.