Odisha not to allow registration of Covishield 2nd dose, if gap is less than 12 weeks

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Centre increased the time interval between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks, Odisha Government today announced that the revised gap will be followed in the state with effective from May 14 midnight.

The Health and Family Welfare Department  has written a letter to all district Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) and Public Health Officers (PHOs) to ensure the same.

Accordingly, no online or on-site appointment will not be allowed for second dose of Covishield, if the gap period is less than 84 days (12 weeks), the department said.

Appointments already booked online for second dose are not being cancelled by COWIN. Beneficiaries may be advised through suitable IEC that they should reschedule their appointments. However, If a pre-booked beneficiary chooses to take the second dose of the vaccine even if the time interval is less than 84 days, COWIN system will allow vaccination of such beneficiaries, the letter reads .

Also Read: Time Interval For Covishield 2nd Dose Revised Again; Check Details

The department further stressed that as the load of beneficiaries due for second dose of the vaccine  at district level will be minimal, priority would be given to vaccinate  first dose Covishield beneficiaries such as frontline workers and people aged 45 years and above.