Was vaccine gap over efficacy or availability, Kerala High Court asks Centre

A beneficiary receives a vaccine shot in Prayagraj on Monday. Pics/PTI

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the Centre whether the 84-day gap between two doses of Covishield was based on availability of the vaccine or its efficacy.

The query to the Union government came from Justice P B Suresh Kumar while hearing a plea by Kitex Garments Ltd seeking permission to administer the second dose of Covishield vaccine to its workers. The judge also said that if the efficacy of the vaccine was the reason for the gap, then he was "worried" as he was administered the second dose within four to six weeks of the first dose.

A health worker prepares to administer a dose of Covishield in Ahmedabad

Kitex Garments has sought permission to administer the second dose of Covishield to its workers before completion of the 84-day period as per Kerala's relaxed vaccination policy.

The court said if availability was the reason for the gap, then those who are able to afford to buy it, like Kitex, should be allowed to take the second dose without waiting for 84 days as per the prevailing protocol.

The court further said if efficacy was the reason then the scientific data in support of it be also provided.

Beneficiaries wait for vaccines in Gurugram on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

With the direction, the matter was listed for hearing on August 26 after the lawyer for the Centre sought time till Thursday to seek instructions.

Earlier, on August 12, the high court had asked the Kerala government why it was permitting the second dose of vaccine only after expiry of 84 days from the first dose.

The court had also asked the Centre what was the reason for increasing the gap between first and second dose of COVISHIELD from the earlier 4 weeks to 12-16 weeks.
On Tuesday, the state government said it was following the COVID vaccination guidelines issued by the Centre.

Kitex in its plea has said that it has already vaccinated more than 5,000 of its workers with the first dose and has arranged for the second dose, but was unable to administer the same due to the prevailing restrictions.

MP seeks 11 lakh doses

Meanwhile, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sought 11 lakh additional vaccine doses from the Centre for the state's mega vaccination drive on August 25-26.
Agencies

Aug 26
The date for next hearing

Four
Gap between Covishield doses (in weeks) when it was introduced

Now, book vaccine slots via WhatsApp

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that vaccine slots can now be booked via WhatsApp. "Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book #COVID19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes. Send ‘Book Slot' to MyGovIndia Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp, Verify OTP and follow the steps...Book today: wa.me/919013151515," tweeted the minister.

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