In a crucial intervention,the Kerala High Court on Monday ruled that the second dose of Covishield can betaken 28 days of taking the first dose in the private sector, but this timeframe will not be applicable to the free supply of vaccines.
The court noted that there have beenexemptions given to the current 84 day period between the two doses to thoseofficials who go for meetings and to students who are studying abroad, andthus, it is not fair to delay it as the vaccines have been already purchased bycompanies.
The Kitex group of companies had, in itspetition filed last month, told the court that they have purchased the vaccinedoses to be administered to its employees.
After giving the first dose, according to theCentre, the second dose could be given only after 84 days, which was contestedby Kitex, which pointed out that since they have already purchased the vaccinesand if the administration is going to be delayed, then the vaccines could getspoiled and would have to be thrown away.
On Monday, the Centre strongly opposed this,but the court overruled their objections, pointing out that while already therehave been exemptions given to officials and students, it is not fair to delaythe second dose to the employees and it can be given.
It, however, pointed out this 28 day periodwill not be available in the free supply quota of the government.
In its previous hearing, the court had askedthe Centre to explain why is there a gap of 84 days to take the second dose ofCovishield vaccine.
It also asked if it was possible to reducethe time gap if vaccines are sourced by parties themselves, and also asked theCentre whether the time gap was extended because it would lead to betterefficacy or was it because of the problems in sourcing vaccines in time.