Govt: No need to change Covishield dosage interval

New Delhi, June 12

A day after Anthony Fauci, medical adviser to the US President, said vaccine dose intervals should be reconsidered to prevent exposure to Covid variants, the government on Saturday noted there was no need for an immediate change in Covishield dose interval.

VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog, said the decision to extend the interval between the two doses of Covishield (from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks) was taken on May 13 by India’s standing committee on immunisation — the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). “There is no need for immediate change in the Covishield dose interval. Let’s respect the decision taken by the NTAGI. Reduction in the Covishield dose gap would require scientific study,” Paul said, asking people not to panic. — TNS

‘Respect our national agency’

Let’s respect the decision taken by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Reduction in the Covishield dose gap will require proper scientific study in the context of India. — VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog