The Centre is considering reducing the gap between the COVID vaccine doses as the antibody wanes after about 6 months, and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is expected to meet and discuss the issue on April 29, sources said.

A source said that the government may reduce the second COVID vaccine doses and the preparation dose from currently nine months to six months, and the recommendation may be made by the NTAGI at its meeting.

Several international studies, including by the ICMR, have suggested that antibody level wanes after six months generally. Reducing the precaution doses gap to six months can increase the immune response in the individual.

India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and 60 plus population on January 10 this year. It allowed all those above 18 years of age to get the precaution doses after the completion of 9 months of their second doses from April 10.