AstraZeneca submits study data for Covishield dosing interval 8-12 weeks

Vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) are also available in India. covishield It is administered at intervals of 4 weeks. AstraZeneca told Mint that experts are evaluating the vaccine and that increasing the interval between two doses would be an additional benefit for India in covering more people. It was.

According to AstraZeneca, Indian experts are based on immunogenicity, safety and efficacy data from the first pool analysis of COV001 (UK), COV002 (UK) and COV003 (Brazil), and Indian data. It is recommended to administer twice at 28-day intervals. Submitted when applying for an emergency use authorization. “There is also data available for the second dose, from the first dose from the overseas study to 12 weeks later,” a company spokesman told Mint.

A primary analysis of Oxford-led clinical trials in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa found that it was 76% effective at least 22 days after the first dose and 3 weeks after the first dose, providing 100% protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death. It was confirmed that it was done. A dose that is maintained until the second dose. According to a company spokeswoman, efficacy increased by up to 82%, with longer dosing intervals of at least 12 weeks.

“Longer dosing intervals may allow more people to be vaccinated first,” said a spokesman, who said the vaccine was well tolerated and prevented covid-19 in people over the age of 18. Said it was effective.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization (SAGE) is reviewing evidence of vaccine efficacy against the new virus SARS CoV-2 mutant, which is important in the context of South Africa’s decision to stop the deployment of Oxford. I made a recommendation. The Astra Zeneca vaccine after preliminary clinical trial results of a study published by the Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit was a mild to moderate covid-from a B.1.351 variant of coronavirus first identified in the country in November. 19 Shown to provide minimal protection against infection.

SAGE said the WHO recommends a dosing interval of 8-12 weeks, in light of the observation that the efficacy and immunogenicity of double doses increases with longer dosing intervals. However, it also states that if the second dose is mistakenly given within 4 weeks of the first dose, there is no need to repeat the dose. India has already vaccinated predominantly covishields for healthcare workers and frontline workers over Rs 74.300 million.

Vinod K. Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, is also responsible for the Government Panel on Vaccine Strategy, the Government of India is overseeing progress and the country will soon increase vaccines in the near future.

Indian public health experts have suggested to the government to increase dosing intervals, as recommended by the WHO, with new challenges in tracking beneficiaries and vaccine acceptance, and for those who received the first dose. Warned of confusion between.

“India has deployed two vaccines, Covaxin and Covisheild. WHO’s recommendation to maintain an interval of at least 8 weeks between two doses of Covishied challenges the two vaccines used in India. If this is not done, there will be even more vaccine repellent for healthcare workers who follow WHO as a reliable source of information, “said Gavi, Secretary-General of the International Pediatric Association and Vaccine Alliance. Naveen Thacker, a former CSO representative of the Board, said.

“If this is done, there is a problem with the recommended covaxin dosing schedule for two doses at 4-week intervals. However, this also provides an opportunity to immediately start vaccination of other priority groups. The government must make these policy decisions in a science-based and transparent manner. After all, national interests are more important than “vaccine nationalism”. It’s good to start with other priority groups and give the first dose to everyone who is interested, “he said.