Precautionary dose will be taken only after six not nine months, know what the central government said?

Amidst the rising corona infection in the country, the central government has said that the current gap between the second dose and the precautionary dose has not been reduced at present. As before, the gap between the two doses is only nine months. The central government has denied reports that the gap between the two doses could be increased to six months.

Indeed, the first few reports claimed that the recommendation by the National Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI) was expected to reduce the gap between the second dose and the precautionary dose. Studies from ICMR and other international research institutes have suggested that primary vaccination with both doses reduces antibody levels after about six months and boosts immune response by giving boosters.

Vaccination started from January 10

India began giving preventive doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline health workers and people aged 60 years and above from January 10. The government in March removed the comorbidity clause making everyone above the age of 60 years eligible for the precautionary dose. According to the Health Ministry data, more than 5 lakh people in the age group of 18-59 years have been given precautionary doses so far.

In addition, 4736567 health workers, 7447,184 frontline health workers and 14,545595 persons aged 60 years and above have taken precautionary doses. India began giving a precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccines to all people over the age of 18 at private immunization centers on 10 April.