Source: State Immunisation Officer (UIP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 23
The extension of gap between two doses of Covishield, the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, to 12-16 weeks seemed to have impacted the administration 2nd doses in Nagaland.
For instance, till May 15, a total of 53,767 had received the second dose of vaccination and it increased to only 53,940 on May 23 as per the COVID-19 vaccination status update provided by the State Immunisation Officer (UIP) Dr Ritu Thurr on Sunday.
The data indicated that only 173 beneficiaries received their 2nd dose during the intervening period.
Overall, only 2.47% projected population as of October, 2020 in Nagaland are fully vaccinated so far in Nagaland. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the projected population in Nagaland as of October 1, 2020 was 21,82,000.
In comparison, the number of people receiving 2nd dose increased from 41,885 on April 30 to 53,767 on May 15 or an increase by 11,882.
However, between May 15 and 23, beneficiaries receiving 1st dose increased from 1, 86,050 to 1,99,460, or an increase by 13,410. It included a total of 7,298 persons receiving their 1st dose when the two-day vaccination for 18-44 age groups kicked off on May 17.
Overall, a total of 2, 53,400 doses have been administrated in Nagaland so far, representing 11.61% of the total projected population.
The categories of vaccinated persons include 18-44 years, of 45 years and above, front line workers and health care workers.
It must be noted here that the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) Nagaland on May 12 informed that a total of 32,770 persons were due receive the 2nd dose of vaccination in May.
However, the Centre on May 13 accepted the recommendation of the COVID Working Group to extend the interval between two doses Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 to eight weeks earlier.
Accordingly, the DoHFW on May 20 informed that the gap for second dose vaccination of Covishield vaccine has been revised to 12-16 weeks for better antibody response and protection.
