On May 13, the Government of India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) increased the interval between two Covishield doses to 12-16 weeks. Experts believe the move was aimed at addressing the temporary shortage of doses.
A month later, members of the Indian Vaccination Advisory Group now say the decision to widen the gap was made without their consent.
Questions are now being raised about India’s decision to widen the gap between two Covishield cans. Was it done to improve effectiveness or as a face shield?
READ: India could test the possibility of mixing doses of different Covid-19 vaccines
In an earlier one Interview with India Today TV, Head of NTAGI, Dr. NK Arora, had justified lengthening the interval between doses to 12-16 weeks.
“All countries have different variables. By increasing it to 16 weeks, we are not saving many doses, so the argument that we are trying to save doses by making this decision is incorrect. There are more effective ways to save doses – by deferring vaccination for patients recovered from Covid we will save doses, ”said Dr. Arora.
He also told India Today TV at the time, “We have changed the dosing schedule because the data show better protection when the doses are given 12-16 weeks apart.”
However, experts and members of NTAGI now point out that the move was not preceded by a unanimous scientific opinion.
Moving to Increase Vaccine Supply?
Professor MD Gupte, a member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), told India Today TV on Wednesday, “The minutes of the NTAGI meeting on May 28 are available on the website, so I heard it, but not seen says that there is evidence for 12 weeks, but not 16 weeks, but that evidence is definitive. “
“UK evidence is available for 12 weeks, up to 12 weeks, there is strong evidence; beyond 12 weeks there is no evidence but since there is evidence for up to 12 weeks the government decided to extend it up to 16 weeks. ”Professor MD Gupte added.
Dr. Gupte said, “My own understanding is that due to the lack of vaccines, in any case the government will be happy to see if we extend the duration between the two doses, then we will be able to get more people vaccinated percent effectiveness. Therefore, if they extend the duration or limit themselves to just a single dose, they can still achieve what we want to do – maximum coverage. So I will support the decision, but when they say 12-16 weeks and 16-20 and so on, there is no scientific evidence for that. “
Director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, Dr. Shahid Jameel told India Today TV, “It appears that based on scientific evidence, the NTAGI decision was to extend the dose schedule to 8-12 weeks. How it turned out to be 12-16 weeks can only be explained by policy makers. Maybe it’s because of the low intake. “
“The real world vaccine efficacy data coming from Public Health England suggests that the dose duration will be reduced to 8 weeks, which the UK has done for the elderly,” said Dr. Jameel.
Other members speaking on condition of anonymity say the same thing. They also hope the decision will be reviewed. Some members said the publication of the minutes of the meeting was unethical and they are now awaiting clarification from the government.
For its part, the central government has issued a clarification that the Decision was based on science and the unanimous opinion of all members of NTAGI.
The issue also took a political turn when Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, showed up at Congressman Rahul Gandhi, who brought it up on Twitter.
“The minutes of the meetings of the # COVID19 Working Group and the NTAGI Standing Technical Subcommittee clearly show that the decision to recommend a 12-16 week break between administering 2 doses of #COVISHIELD was made unanimously …” he wrote Minister of Health.
Minutes of the minutes of the # COVID-19 NTAGI’s Working Group and Standing Technical Subcommittee clearly show that the decision to take a break of 12-16 weeks between the administration of 2 doses of. to recommend #COVISHIELD was unanimously accepted …https://t.co/hZzSws2Kkh@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/nuzRUvyToB
– Dr. Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) June 16, 2021
Experts believe it is the right time to move again
A month has passed since Covishield extended the gap between two doses, but this may be the right time to reconsider the move, experts say.
Dr. Arvinder Soin told India Today TV: “There is clear data from the UK showing that the Delta variant is very likely to escape the single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while two doses of the vaccine provide excellent protection against hospitalization. “
Dr. Soin is not only chairman of the Medanta Liver Transplant Institute, but also heads the national study on tocilizumab in Covid patients.
Experts also say there are two problems associated with single-dose vaccine treatment.
“The patient can become infected with a severe form of the infection. This also encourages the development of further mutations and thwarts the various vaccination purposes, ”says Dr. Arvinder Soin.
Epidemiologist Professor Giridhar Babu says, “The publication in the Lancet suggests that two doses of the vaccine eight weeks apart will help reduce hospital stays for Covid-19, especially when it comes to the Delta variant.”
Government sources say a decision to shorten the gap from 12 to 16 weeks dated National Technical Advisory Group on Vaccination and that there is a possibility that the move will be reviewed again.
In his previous interviews, NTAGI boss Dr. NK Arora also said that the advisory group’s decisions will be reviewed from time to time as the science behind vaccines continues to evolve.
However, the question of whether the decision to widen the void has been suppressed remains unanswered.
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