Centre may reduce interval between Covishield doses

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: September 23, 2021 09:48 AM2021-09-23T09:48:16+5:302021-09-23T09:48:16+5:30

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The second wave of corona in the country is slowly receding. But the threat of a third wave remains. Vaccination is being accelerated to prevent the threat of a third wave.

Covishield and Covaxin are the most widely used vaccines in the country. Due to the huge production capacity of Serum, most of the people in the country have been vaccinated against Covishield. Due to low production capacity of Bharat Biotech, the number of people taking Covaxin is relatively low.

The Modi government is planning to reduce the gap between the two doses of Covishield. The government may take a decision soon. The central government is seriously considering the Kerala High Court's order. That is why a big decision can be made soon.

Private hospitals and clinics may be allowed to reduce the gap between the two doses of Covishield. Those who pay for the vaccine at a private hospital can take the second dose after 4 weeks after the first dose. Such an option can be given by the government.

At present, the interval between two doses of Covishield is 12 to 16 weeks. In this case, the Kerala High Court had given an important order to the Central Government. The court directed to give an option of 4 weeks interval while fixing the second dose of Covishield vaccine on Cowin portal.

Justice P. B. Suresh Kumar took up the matter. If the state and central governments can allow early dosing for those who want to go abroad, then the second dose should be made available soon, Kumar said.

A company called Kitex Garments Limited filed the suit in the High Court. The company had filed a petition in the court seeking a second dose of Covishield for it's employees 84 days ago. The court responded positively.

It was recently reported that the Union Ministry of Health would soon reduce the gap between the two doses of Covishield from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. Earlier, the interval between two doses of Covishield was 28 days. But after that it was done for 6 to 8 weeks. After that it was done for 12 to 16 weeks.