Centre to reduce gap between 2nd COVID jab, booster dose for those flying abroad, report says

According to reports, the Central Government has agreed to shorten the time between the second and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccination for people travelling overseas to 90 days. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) met on Wednesday and discussed and advised authorising the administration of precautionary doses before the age of nine months for people travelling overseas, depending on the needs of the receiving nation.

However, no suggestion has been made regarding closing the booster dose gap for everyone.

Experts have differing opinions on how to reduce the gap between booster doses in India, since fewer people have expressed interest in receiving a third dosage as a precaution dose, despite the Centre’s approval for those over the age of 18.

According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the IMA national task force who conducted a study said the longer gap gives better immunity between the primary vaccination and the third dose against COVID-19 infection. Adding that, he said, “We found that if the second dose is taken very recent, it did not make any difference.”

He further said, “We have seen people who waited for six months or longer after the second dose, we found that the third dose has made difference.”