Over 1.6cr Haven't Got Second Shot After 16-Week Max Gap

Among Them, More Than 1cr In 60-Plus Grp

- Rema Nagarajan

At least 1.6 crore people in India are yet to get a second shot of the Covid vaccine 16 weeks after their first, the longest recommended gap between two shots. Over a crore of them are among the elderly, and the rest are from other vulnerable groups such as health and frontline workers and those aged over 45.

The 1.6 crore figure was arrived at by looking at how many people had got their first shots as of May 2, that is 16 weeks back, and comparing it with the total number of those who have so far got their second. All data is from press releases issued by the health ministry.

The government had on May 13 approved a gap of 12-16 weeks for Covishield, which accounts for over 85% of all vaccinations; for Covaxin, it’s a much shorter 4-6 weeks. The number of people whose second shots are delayed beyond the recommended interval may well be higher since the calculation for 1.6 crore is based on 16 weeks for Covishield and not six weeks for Covaxin. So, the figure for those who’ve got both doses so far includes many who received their first shot after May 2.

Only 14% in 18+ group received both shots