‘Special group of people’ can take 2nd Covishield vaccine after 28 days

Dimapur, June 17 (EMN): The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare has issued a revised SOP for administration of second dose of Covid vaccine to “special group of people” who need to travel to foreign countries for education, jobs or sporting events.

In a directive to the chief medical officers and medical superintendents of all the districts of Nagaland, State Immunisation Officer Dr. Ritu Thurr stated that Secretary of Union Health and Family Welfare had set a revised SOP on administration of second dose of Covishield vaccine, prior to the prescribed time interval (after 28 days but before 84 days).

This special dispensation will be available to:

• Students who have to undertake foreign travel for the purposes of education.
• Persons who have to take up jobs in foreign countries.
• Athletes, sportspersons and accompanying staff of Indian contingent attending International Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo.

The directive stated that Covishield 2nd dose can be availed only at districts hospitals and the district officials should check whether a period of 28 days has elapsed after the date of first dose before administering the second jab.

The medical officials also have been asked to check the genuineness of the purpose of travel based on documents such as admission offers or associated formal communications for the purpose of education; whether a person is already studying in a foreign educational institution and has to return to that institution for continuing his or her education; interview calls for a job or offer letters for taking up employment; and nomination to participate in the Tokyo Olympic games.