"Good Scientific Decision": Adar Poonawalla On Longer Gap Between Jabs

Coronavirus: "This is beneficial both from the efficacy and the immunogenicity standpoint," said Adar Poonawalla on increasing the gap between two Covishield doses

The gap between two Covishield doses has been increased to 12 to 16 weeks from the current six-eight weeks, the government said today, accepting the recommendation of experts. Increasing the gap is a good scientific decision, said Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SSI) that makes Covishield. "This is beneficial both from the efficacy and the immunogenicity standpoint. This is a very good move because this is based on data that the government received on the basis of which they made a good scientific decision to increase the gap," Adar Poonawalla told NDTV. Several states are reporting a shortage of vaccines and the new rule is expected to not just ease the pressure off Covishield but also free up doses for a larger number of people to get their first dose of the vaccine. In the early stages of vaccinations, the recommended interval between two doses was four to six weeks. That was increased to six to eight later but the government had said delaying the shot beyond the eighth week would weaken its effect.