The government is hopeful of administering the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine for the country’s eligible population in the next four weeks. As per the health ministry’s guideline, the second dose is due after eight to 12 weeks from the day of the first dose. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said today marks eight weeks and two days after the country administered the first dose on March 27.
With India battling what is described as the world’s worst outbreak of coronavirus, many are worried about when and from where the country will manage the second dose of vaccines for the country’s eligible population. The Prime Minister said, although India assured giving the required doses to vaccinate the country’s entire eligible population, it will be awkward to ask for help considering the situation in India today.
“The Indian government has assured that they will give the required vaccines for the second dose as well. That being said, we are all aware of the situation in India today. His Majesty has commanded that it is not right to ask for help from India given the situation the country is going through. His Majesty also said that the vaccine is more important for India in the current situation,” said Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.
As per the Indian media reports, the Serum Institute in India, one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is struggling to meet local demands despite producing about 80 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine every month. According to New York Times, around 3.1 per cent of India’s total population have received both doses of the vaccine so far.
The Prime Minister said the foreign ministry is seeking support from 15 other countries to procure COVID-19 vaccines.
“13 of them have AstraZeneca vaccines. Some said they do not have enough for themselves. Around two to three countries said they will see if they can help us. One is America. America has around 80 million doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to give to other countries but there are some formalities yet to be finalised.”
The Prime Minister added the health minister, who is currently in Geneva chairing the World Health Assembly, is also meeting with the heads of other countries on the sidelines to seek support to procure the vaccines.
“Likewise, the health minister is in Geneva. She met with Switzerland’s health minister. Switzerland is one country that can help other countries. We heard that the country said it will see if it can help us in any way. Also, in a day or two, the health minister will be meeting with the Director-General of the WHO. Although it doesn’t produce, Israel has enough Pfizer vaccines,” Lyonchhen added.
Meanwhile, with the gap between the two doses of the vaccine extending, people are concerned. They are questioning the efficacy of the first dose in case the country cannot procure the second within the given period. According to the health ministry, while the second dose, also called a booster shot, is important, the first dose of the vaccine gives enough protection.
“It is not that the first dose won’t help. The first dose is said to be around 70 to 76 per cent effective according to researches. And this I believe is true, because the current outbreak has not spread to many places. This could be due to the first dose of the vaccine. The second dose will further increase the efficacy,” said Rixin Jamtsho, the Chief Programme Officer at the health ministry.
Around 95 per cent of the country’s eligible population have been given the first jab since the mass vaccination programme kicked off in March. The Prime Minister said although studies in the UK and by AstraZeneca have shown that the second dose can be administered within a gap of 12 to 16 weeks, the government plans to adhere to the health ministry’s initial guideline of administering it within eight to 12 weeks after the first dose.
Kinley Dem/Phub Gyem
