SHILLONG, AUG 16: Director of Health Services (MCH&FW) Dr I Challam on Tuesday informed that changes have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for the precaution dose. In a statement, Dr Challam, who is also the Joint Mission Director of National Health Mission, said that CorBevax will be available as precaution dose after completion of 6 months or 26 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose of either Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for population above 18 years.
“This enables use of Corbevax as a heterologous Covid-19 vaccine for precaution dose administration in this age group,” she said adding that there will be no change in existing guidelines for homologous precaution dose administration of Covaxin and Covishield vaccine.
In addition to the existing homologous precaution dose, she said the option of a heterologous precaution dose with CorBevax would be available to all people above 18 years of age.
All necessary changes in regard to the administration of heterologous precaution dose using Corbevax to those who are eligible and due for precaution dose have been made on the COWIN Portal. This provision would be live from 12 August 2022
She said beneficiary can take CorBevax precaution dose if: beneficiary vaccinated with CorBevax, Covishield or Covaxin 2nd dose, completed 6 months (182 days) after 2nd dose, completed 3 months (90 days) after 2nd dose and ben type is HCW, FLW or polling officer and beneficiary age is 18 years & above.
The current age limit for Corbevax in private Covid Vaccination Center is 12 years & above and govt Covid Vaccination Center is 12 years to 14 years
For age criteria 18+ only Precaution Dose Sessions can be created for Corbevax in both Private and Government Centers.
The DHS (MCH&FW) further requested and advised that all eligible people should come forward for vaccination as COVID-19 is still very much still present amongst us.
“Until we defeat this pandemic, everyone is still advised to follow COVID Protocols – wear your mask, wash or sanitize your hands and maintain distance especially in public areas,” she stated.
