Union Government Jab Gap Between Two Doses of Covishield Is Efficacy Not Shortage

pAmid the questions on the vaccine shortage the union government Daya Sindhu Sreehari on Thursday informed the Kerala High Court that the gap of 84 days between the two doses of Covishield is the efficacy not the vaccine shortagenbspppOn Tuesday while hearing a petition filed by Kitex Group a Kochi-based apparel making giant to expedite the vaccine drive Justice P B Suresh Kumar sought a clarification from the Union government whether the gap was necessary and if it was related to the efficacy or due to shortage of doses The Centrersquos counsel sought two daysrsquo time to respond to the queryppOn Thursday the counsel for the Union government Daya Sindhu Sreehari informed the court that the gap between the two Covishield jabs was based on a scientific study and the gap was necessary for the effectiveness of the vaccineppThe central government during the hearing told the court that all the decisions regarding the vaccination program are taken by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 NEGVAC and technical inputs are given by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group NITAGppIt further said that ldquobased on the recommendation of NEGVAC the schedule of COVISHIELD vaccination under the national COVID-19 programme was to administer the second dose after 12 to 16 weeks ie after 84 days from the first doserdquoppldquoThis provides the best protection against Covid-19rdquo the Centre claimed and added that the decision was taken based on efficacy and not the availability of the vaccineppnbspp