Increase Covishield dose interval to 4-8 weeks: Centre tells states

Protection enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks, says Health Ministry

The government has increased the time interval between the two doses of Covishield — the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19, being manufactured locally by Serum Institute of India — from four-six weeks to four-eight weeks in view of the “emerging scientific evidence”.

The recommendation came from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, which revised its view on the issue, and subsequently by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, the Union health ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said in a statement that keeping the existing scientific evidence in mind, it appeared that protection from the vaccine was