Bahrain increases AstraZeneca vaccine dose interval to 8 weeks
, February 26, 2021
Bahrain's Ministry of Health has announced the extension of Covishield-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine dosing intervals from 4 to 8 weeks.
This decision follows recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) which revealed a strong correlation between longer dose intervals of between 8 and 12 weeks and greater vaccine efficacy, the Undersecretary for Public Health Dr Mariam Al Hajeri was quoted as saying by Bahrain News Agency.
Dr Al Hajri underlined that the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), an advisory group to the WHO, had recommended administering inoculations 4 to 12 weeks apart, with a strong recommendation for a longer dose intervals between 8 to 12 weeks apart to produce a stronger immune response, it said.
Dr Al Hajri noted that the kingdom approved the Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use on January 21 to expedite vaccine delivery to vulnerable groups at risk of developing complications associated with Covid-19, including the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
The Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by AstraZeneca in cooperation with the University of Oxford, is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India under the name 'Covishield'.
