Covid 19
Covid-19 Fresh News Updates Of The Day 24th March 2021
While we all have questions about the efficacy levels of the vaccine, here is how the increase in the gap for 2nd dose can increase the efficacy levels. The World health organization has extended the gap between the first and the second dose to 58 days from 28 days.
Second Dose Gap Increased to 58 days. Covid-19 fresh news updates of the day 24th March 2021.
While we all have questions about the efficacy levels of the vaccine, here is how the increase in the gap for 2nd dose can increase the efficacy levels. The World health organization has extended the gap between the first and the second dose to 58 days from 28 days.
With the fear of an even worse second wave of Covid-19 lurking over us, it’s time to follow the Covid- 19 guidelines even more strictly. Here are the big announcements made by the Central Govt. of India.
On Monday, the Health Minister announced that from 1st April 2021, all above the age of 45 would be eligible to get vaccinated. This revision has been made after the alarming rise of Covid positive cases across the country.
The second big announcement is that the Govt. has increased the gap between the first dose and the second dose. The health ministry said it is best to get your second dose vaccinated, 6 to 8 weeks after the 1st dose. This is because of the new finding on vaccine efficacy.
From 28 days, the gap has now been extended to 58 days. So, the reasons for the change are:
- First, new Global studies suggest that extending the gap increases the efficacy of the vaccines. Less than 6 weeks, the efficacy is 54.9%, whereas a gap of 6 to 8 weeks increases the efficacy to 59.9%. After 12 weeks, the efficacy of the vaccine increases to 82.4%.
- Second, this rule is only applicable to the ‘Covishield’ vaccine because the study was performed only on this vaccine. The World Health Organisation has also strongly recommended the gap.
- Thirdly, the gap will enable more people to get vaccinated.
The Government has also ensured that the vaccines are available in adequate amounts and there is no shortage of vaccines.
With the country reporting more than 40,000 new cases. The Indian Govt. has issued few fresh vaccine guidelines. Now all above 45 years, can get vaccinated from 1st April.
The wastage of Vaccines is high in India, and if more and eligible people approach vaccination, then we can fight the second wave and avoid the wastage of vaccination. Today the new cases reported were above 40,000, and 99 deaths were reported. Thus, it’s time that more people get the first dose of vaccine.
