Vaccine and interval

Kerala High Court has directed the Central Government to make changes to the Covid portal to make the interval of free Covishield vaccine 28 days. This proposal may not be acceptable to the Center. First of all, the center will be in a fix due to vaccine shortage. But it will be very beneficial for the states, especially for Kerala. This is because Kerala is currently the state with the highest number of Covid victims. Vaccination of persons above 18 years of age in Kerala would have been almost complete if the Covshield interval had continued for 48 days as in the first phase. It is imperative that everyone complete the vaccination as soon as possible as the spread of the disease is on the rise. Therefore, if the Center is compelled to make changes in the Covid portal, Kerala's decision to provide
Covishield for free at short intervals will be of great help in reducing the spread of the disease.

The Center extended the break based on a study that found that Covishield would provide protection after four weeks, but better protection after 84 days. In effect, this was a setback for densely populated states like Kerala. When the interval was extended, the Centre was able to almost eliminate the clamour for a vaccine shortage.

In Kerala, 2.87 crore people above the age of 18 years need to be vaccinated. Of this, 2.15 crore people have taken the first dose and 80 lakh people have taken the second dose. The vaccine campaign will end in December only if 70 lakh doses of vaccine are taken in a month. In the meantime, if the Centre decides to vaccinate between the ages of 18 and 12, it is likely to go beyond December. The first interval of the Covishield was also determined on a scientific basis. So accepting it will do no harm but good to the state. Moreover, the High Court has pointed out that the same is already being given to those going abroad. The news is that the Centre is preparing to file an appeal. Kerala should join as a party in the case and support setting the interval at 28 days.