The gap between two Covishield doses should be increased to 12 to 16 weeks from the existing 6-8 weeks, suggested the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVAC).
The NEGVAC in its meeting also suggested that Covid positive persons defer their vaccination for six months after recovery as against the current period of 14 days after recovery. It said that those who’ve received plasma should receive jabs 12 weeks after recovery.
Another recommendation pertains to people who develop serious illness. Such people should take jabs four to eight weeks after recovery.
The group, however, has not recommended any change in the Covaxin dosage interval and remains at four to six weeks.
The panel also said that pregnant women could choose their vaccine and that lactating women would be eligible any time after delivery.
The NEGVAC recommendations will now be vetted by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation before being sent to the government for approval.
The recommendations come at a time of vaccine shortages and the pending second dose schedules falling behind time. Earlier in March states and UTs were told to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks “for better results”.
Evidence is now available to show that 80% people who have had Covid remain protected for seven months with natural antibodies to the disease.
