Indians may need a third dose of vaccine, Serum Chairman Cyrus Poonawalla says

Highlights

• A third dose must, six months after second dose, said Poonawalla.
• Especially for those with weak immune systems.
• He has advised against mixing vaccines.
• Ideal gap between 2 doses of Covishield is 2 months.

Serum Institute of India (SII) chairman Cyrus Poonawalla said that a third dose of the vaccine was a "must", six months after taking the second dose, specially for those with weak immune systems.

He also said that he, along with 7000 SII employees, had already taken the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield.

Last week, Poonawalla advised against mixing of vaccines, arguing that no large study had been done to prove better efficacy of a cocktail of a first dose of a vaccine followed by a second dose of another vaccine.

However, hours later he said that in the event of unavailability of the first vaccine, a second dose of another vaccine could be administered.

“To clarify my earlier statement: For those who have been administered the first dose of a particular vaccine and in case of the unavailability of the second dose of the same — as an alternative, another vaccine can be administered. That said, the efficacy and the immunogenicity of the combination are dependent on the ongoing studies conducted by regulators,” said Poonawalla.

Further, he had said, “It’s a waste of time. When one vaccine is working, why should you mix it up unnecessarily and cause complications.”

On the time gap between the first two doses, Poonawalla said, "In reality, you should take it within two to three months. But, when the product was not available, the Modi government decided that it can be given in a three-month gap. Actually, it is best to be taken within two months.”