The government on Friday announced that there is no need to panic over the need for an immediate change in the dose interval of the Covishield vaccine. It underlined that reducing the time gap requires proper scientific study in the Indian scenario.
According to some reports, there are recent studies that suggest it would be better to shorten the gap between two doses of the Covishield vaccine, in light of the Covid19 variants in circulation. However, Dr. VK Paul, a member at NITI Aayog said there is a need to balance such concerns.
“There is no need for any panic, suggesting a need for immediate switchover or change in the gap between the doses. These decisions must be taken very carefully,” said VK Paul in a press briefing.
“We must remember that when we increased the gap, we had to consider the risk posed by the virus to those who have received only one dose. But the counterpoint was that more people will then be able to get the first dose, thereby giving a reasonable degree of immunity to more people,” he added.
Also Read: 1467 doctors died due to covid19 pandemic so far, Bihar records highest deaths
“We need to balance these concerns. So, please remember, that we need to necessarily have this debate and discourse in the public domain; however, the decision has to be taken by an appropriate panel comprising eminent people who are knowledgeable about this,” said NITI Aayog member.
He further added that in the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), there are people who have been a part of WHO panels and committees and are globally renowned and recognized for their eminence. NTAGI is regarded as a standard when it comes to global and national immunization programs.
“So, please respect their decisions,” said Dr. Paul.
“Let the decision regarding dose interval be examined by NTAGI. The UK must have adopted due process and examined data scientifically, to revise their previous decision regarding the gap. The UK had earlier kept the gap at 12 weeks, but as per data available to us, we did not consider it safe at that point,” he added.