English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Covid-19 vaccine: Centre raises interval between Covishield jabs upto 8 weeks

The Health Ministry on Monday revised the interval between the first and second dose of Covishield vaccine to 4-8 weeks from the existing 4-6 weeks in its ongoing vaccination drive against the coronavirus.

Published

on

covid vaccine

The Health Ministry on Monday revised the interval between the first and second dose of Covishield vaccine to 4-8 weeks from the existing 4-6 weeks in its ongoing vaccination drive against the coronavirus.

The Central government has written to States and Union Territories stating that in view of the emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of a specific Covid-19 vaccine, Covishield, has been revisited by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19.

The revised interval between two doses of Covid-19 vaccine is only applicable to Serum Institute of India’s Covishield not to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. The instruction has gone out after the evidence showed that protection was enhanced if the second dose of Covishield was administered between six and eight weeks but not later than that.

According to data from trials of AZD1222 in other countries, the efficacy of the vaccine increased when the second dose was given more than six weeks after the first Its efficacy was around 54.9% when the second dose was given after less than six weeks of the first dose. It increased to 59.9% when the second dose was given after 6-8 weeks  and increased to 63.7% when the second dose was at 9-11 weeks. The efficacy further jumped to 82.4% when the dosing interval stretched to 12 weeks or more. 

The government has taken up the step to partly address the concerns that vaccinations, despite the increase in sessions are not proceeding fast enough. The longer window between the two shots could potentially mean that more doses are freed up for a larger number of people to get their first dose of the vaccine sooner. 

The move came in the middle of the nationwide second phase of vaccination, in which people above 60 and those over 45 with comorbidities are being inoculated.The increase in intervals between the shot will also make it easier for the priority group population, which mostly consists of the elderly, to be vaccinated.

Read Also: Assam polls 2021: BJP commits to work on corrected NRC in poll manifesto

The decision is most likely to also boost the efficiency of the current vaccination campaign as it will allow hospitals and clinics to give out more first doses to people instead of worrying about stocking adequate supplies for second doses for the time being.

India News

PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

Published

on

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

Continue Reading

India News

Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

Published

on

Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

Published

on

PM Modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com