Amid Covid-19 fourth wave threat, Centre reduces gap for booster dose to 6 months for those above 18 years

New Delhi: Amid the Covid-19 fourth wave threat, the Centre on Wednesday (July 6, 2022) announced to reduce the gap between second coronavirus vaccine dose and precaution dose from existing 9 months to 6 months for those above 18 years. In a letter to States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, Standing Technical Sub Committee" (STSC) of "National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization" (NTAGI) has recommended to revise the duration between 2nd dose and precaution dose from existing 9 months or 39 weeks to 6 months or 26 weeks. This has also been endorsed by NTAGI."

The Health Secretary added that for beneficiaries aged above 60 years and above as well as the Health Care Workers (HCWs) & Front Line Workers (FLWs), a precaution dose would be administered after completion of 6 months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose at Government CVCs, free of charge.

"Corresponding changes have been made in the CoWIN system to facilitate the new dispensation. Instructions in this regard may be issued to all the concerned officials and it may also be publicized widely, Bhushan said.

Union Health Ministry reduces gap for COVID-19 precaution doses from existing 9 months to 6 months for those above 18 years pic.twitter.com/s7YmO3SwZh

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2022

India's cumulative Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 198.20 crores with 1,98,20,86,763 vaccine doses administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, India's active Covid-19 caseload increased to 1,15,212 with 16,159 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours. An increase of 737 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The death toll also climbed to 5,25,270 with 28 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.