3-Month Gap Between AstraZeneca Doses Gives Max Immunity: Scientist Who Co-developed Covishield

After a long to and fro, India revised the guidelines on gap between second dose of COVID vaccine after recovery from the infection.

The government said the second jab will be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from COVID-19.

Experts have suggested that the booster shot can be effective till six months, however it fueled apprehensions in people over the increased gap between two shots.

Agencies

In an interview with The Times of India, scientist Andrew Pollard who co-developed the AstraZeneca vaccine with Sarah Gilbert at Oxford University, says a three month gap between two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, also known as Covishield which is one of the two vaccines available in India, is effective.

"We have very good data"

¡°We have very good data showing strong protection for the first three months between the two doses. A three-month interval produces very good protection. This gets even better with a longer interval from three to four months," Pollard said.

He said that a longer time gap gets a stronger immune response after the second dose.

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The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said vaccination can now be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from Covid-19.

The government also accepted the recommendations from the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), deferring the second dose by three months for individuals after recovering from the infection.