Vaccine: Increasing the interval is beneficial; No need to worry about delaying the second dose

Is there a problem with the second dose of the Covid vaccine being delayed? Even senior citizens are struggling to cope with the need for a  second dose. There is also concern that campaigns will delay the benefit of the first dose if the second dose is delayed.

But experts who have studied the vaccine reiterate that there is no cause for concern. Studies abroad have shown that shortening the interval between booster doses and second doses after the first dose is not a problem and that there is a significant increase in immunity over the evening. The interval at which vaccines are released is by design only. However further studies on efficiency and immunity are being conducted after the vaccine enters the Market. Therefore, it is normal for changes to occur during the first determined interval. Immunity begins to form 3 weeks after taking the first dose. Immunity is fully achieved only 2 weeks after the second dose.

The second dose is different for both vaccines

The timing of taking the second dose is different for the 2 vaccines distributed in the country. The second dose of co-vaccine released by BharathBiotech is recommended to be taken within 4-6 weeks and the coviShield of the serum institute within 4-8 weeks

The second dose of Covishield was recommended to be taken within 4-6 weeks, but the interval was increased after the study. Efficiency was 54.9% for those given the second dose after 6 weeks. Subsequent, foreign studies however found that when the interval between receiving the second dose of Covishield was increased 12 weeks, the efficiency increased 82.4%. In the case of vaccines, it is estimated that 6 weeks is a bit late but not a problem.

There is no reason to worry about delaying the second dose. Most of the studies related to Covishield have taken place and are progressing abroad. In the first study, the second dose was recommended 4 weeks later. Subsequent studies however found a significant increase in immunity between the second dose at 6-8 weeks and 8- 12 weeks.; Dr. Jose p Augustine, professor of Microbiology, Manjai Sree Narayana institute of medical science