3-month gap between doses improves immune response: AstraZeneca vaccine co-developer

A three-month gap between two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, known in India as Covishield, improves the immune response against Covid-19, according to Andrew Pollard, co-developer of the vaccine and head of Oxford University’s Vaccine Group.

In an exclusive interview to Times Evoke, Pollard said the longer the interval between the vaccine’s two doses, the stronger the body’s immune response will be. "A three-month interval produces very good protection – this gets even better with a longer interval from three to four months. A longer time gap gets a stronger immune response after the second dose. To get the maximum immune response, it’s worth waiting longer."

The statement assumes significance given the controversy that erupted over the recent change in the prescribed time interval between two Covishield doses from 4-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks, with many speculating that the decision may have arisen due to vaccine shortages.