The gap between two doses of Kovishield, made by the Serum Institute of India (SII) of Pune, was extended from four-six weeks to six-eight weeks in April.
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The government’s expert panel is considering increasing the gap between two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield (Covishield) vaccine. According to the information received, the panel is reviewing new evidence from international studies which suggests that the effect of the vaccine is more effective if the gap between the two doses is prolonged. The committee is likely to take a decision by next week.
The gap between two doses of Kovishield, produced by Pune’s Serum Institute of India (SII), was increased to six-eight weeks in April from four-six weeks. In March, a study published in the journal The Lancet stated that covishield is 81.3% more effective if the dose is given after 12 weeks.
What does research say
Researchers found only 55.1% of the effect of covishield when two doses were given in less than six weeks. According to test data in Britain and Brazil, at least 90% of the vaccine is effective. If one dose is given one month after the next dose is given, in other countries such as the UK and Canada, two doses of the vaccine are given between 12 weeks and 16 weeks gap. Experts say that after taking the vaccine in such a time, the effect of the vaccine is more effective.
The doctor explains that it takes about 2-3 weeks for the antibody to develop after taking the first dose or shot. Antibodies develop slowly in people’s bodies with the first dose, but with the second dose, this process is accelerated. Therefore, according to the first research, a gap of at least 28 days between both shots is correct and necessary. Many countries are maintaining a gap of about three months to ensure that maximum number of people get vaccinated in their country.
There will be two benefits from increasing the gap
According to the information, if the gap between vaccine doses in India increases, it will help the country on two fronts. This can reduce the skyrocketing demand for vaccines in India. More and more people can be vaccinated in the country.
Second, if the crowd of people slows down for the second dose, officials can focus on vaccinating more beneficiaries with the first dose. According to a research, it can be very effective for people. For example, recent data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed that the AstraZeneca vaccine is 86.0% effective in people 60 and older at least two weeks after the first dose.
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