New Delhi: In view of emerging scientific evidence and global trends, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday extended the interval between the second dose of vaccine and the precautionary dose from the current 9 months to 6 months. NTAGI’s Standing Technical Subcommittee (STSC) in June recommended reducing the gap between the second and precautionary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a letter to the states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “Given the growing scientific evidence and global practices, the Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) of the National Technical Advisory Group on Vaccines” (NTAGI) said. It is recommended to change the period between the second dose and the precautionary dose from the current 9 months or 39 weeks to 6 months or 26 weeks. NTAGI has also confirmed this. ”
“It has now been decided that all beneficiaries between the ages of 18-59 will be given a precautionary dose at private covid vaccination centers (CVs) 6 months or 26 weeks after completion of the second dose administration. . ”
The health secretary said that the precautionary diet for beneficiaries aged 60 years and above as well as health care workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) should be given 6 months or 26 weeks after the date of administration. Second dose on official CVC, free.
“Similar changes have been made to the CoWIN system to facilitate new distributions. All concerned officials should be informed in this regard and they should be widely publicized. I look forward to your support and guidance in reaching out to all the beneficiaries at home, as well as at Vaccination Centers (CVCs), ”Bhushan wrote in the letter.