Time interval for second Covishield dose for Indian contingent in Tokyo Olympics relaxed: Centre to SC

This special dispensation will also be available to students who have to undertake foreign travel for the purposes of education and persons who have to take up jobs in foreign countries

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the athletes, sportspersons and accompanying staff of the Indian contingent attending the Tokyo Olympics, students undertaking foreign travel for education and persons working abroad will be administered the second dose of the Covishield vaccine prior to the prescribed time interval (after 28 days but before 84 days). Presently, based on the recommendations of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NÉGVAC), the schedule of Covishield under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy is to administer the second dose at an interval of 12-16 weeks (after 84 days) from the date of administration of the first dose. In a 380-page affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Saturday in a suo motu matter on COVID management, the Centre has said the health ministry has received several representations from students as well as States such as Kerala regarding relaxations for the administration of the second dose of Covishield before the currently stipulated 84-day interval for students going abroad for higher studies.