In what could be seen as a preventive measure amidst rising Omicron cases in many countries across the world, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), the highest technical body of the Union Health Ministry on immunisation has recommended reducing the gap between the first and second dose of Covid vaccine Covishield to eight to 16 weeks. At present, the second dose of Covishield is being administered 12-16 weeks after the first dose under the national vaccination drive. India's apex body on immunisation now recommends this be curbed to ramp up the administration of the second dose of Covishield to the remaining population amid rising cases in European nations and some other countries.
The Government had on May 13, 2021, extended the gap between the first and second doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks, based on the recommendations by NTAGI that provide guidance to the Union Health Ministry on the immunisation. Though India continues on a downward trend of new Covid cases, in the last couple of days, discussions and worries have started to gather pace with a sudden rise in new cases of coronavirus globally, mainly in the South Asia region. The WHO has even warned countries to remain vigilant against the virus. China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, South Korea are among the South East Asian countries witnessing a rise in Covid cases. Dr NK Arora, the head of Covid-19 Task Group in National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI), had recently said, "The fourth wave will be driven by a new variant since BA.2 is present in 75 per cent of the population. Can't say when India will witness the fourth wave. Vaccines available now do not cover Omicron to the extent that boosters will benefit."
In India, a total of 1,761 fresh Covid cases were recorded nationwide on Sunday which is the lowest in around 688 days. Following a continuous downward trend, India's active caseload has also declined to 26,240, constituting 0.06 percent of total positive cases.