Covishield interval increase to help 45+ group get 1st shot

PUNE: The increase in the interval between two Covishield doses to 12-16 weeks is likely to work to the advantage of beneficiaries aged 45 years and above currently scrambling to get their first shots, state public health authorities told TOI on Friday.
Since the citizens, whose Covishield inoculation began from March, will now be due for the second shot only around May last week or later, the (Covishield) first doses would be more readily available for the 45+ category till then, officials said.

The state has been giving preference to those due for second doses following the shortage of vaccines. But as the number of beneficiaries who were earlier due for Covishield second doses has now decreased because of the change in guidelines, this would automatically mean that the first-time beneficiaries could access more Covishield doses that are at the state’s disposal, an official said.
This only applies to Covishield, as there is no change in the interval of Covaxin vaccine doses.
The officials also said it would now not be possible for citizens (who had received the Covishield first shot) to avail of online appointments or onsite walk-ins before they complete 84 days (12 weeks) after their first dose. However, those who have already booked appointments for the second doses will be given the shots even if the Covishield two-dose interval is less than 84 days. “Suitable changes on Co-WIN are being made,” an official said.
“Vaccination for citizens above the age of 45 years (60+ and 45+ with comorbidities) was started from March 1. They would be due for the second doses from May last week as per the revised guidelines. Healthcare and frontline workers who were inoculated during the earlier phases of the drive will primarily be eligible to receive the second Covishield shots during the ongoing period, provided they have completed 84 days (12 weeks) after the first dose,” said Dr Archana Patil, director (family welfare), directorate of health services.
She added that this effectively meant that once the healthcare and frontline workers, and those with confirmed appointments till now, got their second shots, the remaining quota would be used for those who want first doses among the 45+ age group. “This naturally means that those seeking first doses will now have more vaccine availability,” said Dr Patil.
Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director (medical), Pune circle, said, “Till Friday, confirmed appointments and walk-ins of Covishield beneficiaries seeking second shots (as per the earlier due date) were being honoured. But this system will stop from Saturday, when only those who have completed 12 weeks or more can get the Covishield second shots. This will automatically lead to exclusion of 3/4th of beneficiaries from the ongoing vaccination drive, as their due date has shifted to May last week or beyond.”
Suitable changes were being made on Co-WIN reflecting the increase in the minimum period between first and second dose of Covishield from the earlier 42 days to 84 days. These changes were made effective from midnight of May 14.