The time interval between two doses of the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine can be increased to 12-16 weeks, a government panel of experts recommended on Thursday.

However, no changes were suggested in the interval of doses for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine which remains at four to six weeks.

The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NTAG) also said pregnant women could choose their vaccine and that lactating women would be eligible any time after delivery.

NTAG also advised those with proven SARS-CoV2 illnesses (the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease) should defer vaccination till six months after recovery.

These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA – the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration – for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.

This is the second time in three months Covishield dosage intervals have been widened; in March states and UTs were told to increase the interval from 28 days to six-eight weeks for better results.

Covishield is the Indian brand name for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccinebeing produced at the Serum Institute of India in Pune.