Interval between doses for AstraZeneca jab trimmed to 9 weeks
This is three weeks less than the original interval of 12 weeks between doses.
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The interval between doses for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been shortened from 12 weeks to nine.
The Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply said the decision was made based on the recommendation of the technical working committee under the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force and contributions by the Japanese government.
“Everyone who has been given the AZ vaccine will get their second dose in nine weeks,” it said in a Twitter post.
“So those who participated in the AZ first round in May will be getting their notifications of appointments very soon.”
Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said on June 20 that the government was looking into whether the interval between doses for the AstraZeneca vaccine could be shortened from 12 weeks to six.
He said this would depend on expert reports on the Covid-19 situation in the country, whether the vaccine recipients require maximum protection from the second dose more quickly.
He also said the government does not plan to implement the first-dose strategy as the supply of vaccine ordered is enough.
Through the first-dose strategy, a first dose of vaccine is given to more people by extending the interval between it and the second dose.
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