Bhubaneswar: State Government Friday decided to administer the second dose of Covishield vaccine to the beneficiaries at 12-16 weeks interval instead of the earlier interval of 6-8 weeks.
With the National Technical Advisory Group On Immunization (NTAGI) advising and the National Expert Group On Vaccine Administration for COVID-19(NEGVAC) approving the revision of schedule of Covishiled, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has advised the State Government accordingly.
ACS Health & Family Welfare, P K Mohapatra has directed for revision of Covishiled second dose to the District Collectors and asked them to take necessary steps at their level.
Those who have taken Covishiled vaccine will now be administered the second dose at an interval of 12-16 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks, he said.
However, this stipulation will not be effective for Covaxin vaccine as the time interval between two doses of Covaxin remains 4-6 weeks, pointed out ACS Health.
In current scenario, the load for Covishiled Second dose due beneficiaries at district level will be very minimal.
Hence priority shall be accorded to vaccination of first dose beneficiaries of Health Care Workers (HCW)s, Front Line Workers (FLW)s and 45 Years and above beneficiaries, pointed out ACS Health Mohaptra.
Program Officers, Program Managers, Verifier Vaccinators and citizens are needed to be informed accordingly about the revision of Covishiled Vaccination schedule, said he.
Accordingly, the Union Government has also brought requisite changes in the Co-WIN Platform and will inform the State Government in time, said sources.