Experts want time gap between 2 doses of Covishield increased to 12-16 weeks

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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.</p>
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However, no changes were suggested in the interval of doses for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine which remains at four to six weeks.</p>
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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.</p>
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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.</p>
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These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA – the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration – for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.</p>
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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.</p>
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Covishield is the Indian brand name for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccinebeing produced at the Serum Institute of India in Pune.</p>