Th Union ministry of health and family welfare on Wednesday reduced the gap for Covid-19 precaution doses as well as the second dose from existing nine months to six months for those above 18 years.
In a letter to states and Union territories, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, "Standing Technical Sub Committee" (STSC) of "National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation" (NTAGI) has recommended to revise the duration between 2nd dose and precaution dose from existing 9 months or 39 weeks to 6 months or 26 weeks. This has also been endorsed by NTAGI."
"It has now been decided that the precaution dose for all beneficiaries from 18-59 years will be administered after completion of 6 months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose at Private Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs)," the letter added.
The health secretary said that for beneficiaries aged above 60 years and above as well as the health care workers (HCWs) and front line workers (FLWs), a precaution dose would be administered after completion of six months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of second dose at government CVCs, free of charge.
"Corresponding changes have been made in the CoWIN system to facilitate the new dispensation. Instructions in this regard may be issued to all the concerned officials and it may also be publicized widely. I look forward to your support and leadership for extending the benefits of precaution dose to all due beneficiaries at Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs) as well as at household level during the ongoing Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 Campaign," Bhushan wrote in the letter.
{{/usCountry}}"Corresponding changes have been made in the CoWIN system to facilitate the new dispensation. Instructions in this regard may be issued to all the concerned officials and it may also be publicized widely. I look forward to your support and leadership for extending the benefits of precaution dose to all due beneficiaries at Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs) as well as at household level during the ongoing Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 Campaign," Bhushan wrote in the letter.
{{/usCountry}}India reported 16,159 new cases of the viral disease in the last 24 hours, 3,073 more than what was reported a day ago.
As part of the nationwide inoculation drive against the coronavirus disease, 9,95,810 vaccines were administered to beneficiaries in the last 24 hours, the ministry said. The cumulative vaccine doses jabbed till date are 1,98,20,86,763.