India: Centre Appeals Against Cutting Short of Gap Between Vaccine Doses

The Centre has appealed against the Kerala High Court single judge bench’s decision to cut short the gap between vaccines, stating that it goes against the vaccine policy conceived following scientific study. The Single bench had previously directed the appellants to arrange for the COWIN portal to enable scheduling of a second dose of COVISHIELD vaccine for individuals who were ready to accept it after four weeks of the first dose being provided. It was also claimed that the 84-day interval was chosen based on worldwide best practises, expert opinion, and compliance with the Drug Controller General of India's regulatory rules. The NTAGI, according to the central government, looks at technical aspects of the National Covid-19 vaccination programme, such as the time between vaccine doses. The court stated that a detailed explanation on the reasons behind the 84-day gap had already been filed and discouraged the court from interfering in the Vaccine Policy of the Govt.