The advisory panel of Covid-19 vaccines – National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between the first and second dose of Covishield vaccine from six to eight weeks to 12-16 weeks.
The panel also suggested that pregnant women can take the vaccine and lactating women can take the vaccine any time after delivery.
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This advisory would be sent to the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVA) for suggestions and changes before implementation. The recommendations would be implemented after the approval of the Health Ministry.
The panel does not suggest any change in the gap between the Covaxin doses, the gap between the first and second dose remains at four to six weeks.
Currently, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield has been used in India’s inoculation drive against coronavirus.
NTAGI has also advised that those who have tested positive for the virus should postpone the vaccination till six months after recovery.
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These changes have brought out a sarcastic swipe from the opposition. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the vaccination drive on the microblogging application.
He tweeted, “First, it was four weeks for the second dose, then six-eight weeks and now we are told 12-16 weeks. Is this because there are not enough stocks of the vaccines for all who are eligible or because professional scientific advice says so? Can we expect some transparency from the Modi Government?”