What happens if one doesn’t take the 2nd dose of COVID Vaccine? Will mix and match work?

April 24: With the advent of the second wave in the country, the rush for getting vaccinated could be noticed in all the states. Even both the Union and the State governments are striving to get more and more people vaccinated. After Covishield and Covaxin, Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V has been recommended for emergency use authorisation in India. Though as per media reports Sputnik V will be available in Indian markets towards the end of May, 2021. So as of now, Indians are being administered either Covishield or Covaxin. Ever since news broke out about shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in states, there has been reasonable concern among those who took the first dose of missing the second.

While thousands are waiting for their second jab across the country due to acute shortage, what if one misses the booster dose of the anti-COVID jab due to the limited  availability. This is a matter of concern since  many who received the first dose in the first week of March when the vaccination drive started are supposed to take the second dose this week or in the next few days as per the vaccine protocol issued by the Health Ministry.

Receiving only one shot won’t lead to any adverse side effects; it won’t cause any residual side effects on your immune system. But a single dose may not provide immunity as long as a full vaccine series could. Many people, including those in India, are lining up for their second COVID shot, which is needed for maximum long-term safety and efficacy. Although both shots of the COVID vaccine are needed, experts are reporting a decrease in the number of people who are having their shots. Vaccine doses spaced weeks apart help improve immunity and produce antibodies necessary for COVID-19 defence.

The gap between 2 doses of the #Covishield vaccine should be increased from 28 days to 6-8 weeks for better results, the government has written to States & UTs. The revised interval applies only to Serum Institute of India's Covishield & not to Bharat Biotech's #Covaxin. pic.twitter.com/fYd74Y7j8N

— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) March 22, 2021

According to the ministry of health (MoHFW) of India, if you miss doses according to your schedule, the vaccine cannot function as well as it should. It’s also important for any vaccine to function properly if it’s provided within the time frame specified on the factsheet. As a result, if an individual misses the second shot or fails to get the shot in time, problems can arise. Dr PK Chandy, Senior Physician and Diabatologist, at Kerala-based Cherupushpam Speciality Hospital said that the second dose of the vaccine can be delayed till the time antibodies – generated through the first dose – are present in the human body. This could be easily detected through an antibody test. “If antibodies are absent, it is advisable to go for another full dose,” opined the doctor.

Can one switch from Covaxin to Covishield and vice versa?

Whether it’s because you had painful side effects on the first dose, or because you’re having trouble accessing a second dose appointment for a certain vaccine, you may be wondering if you can switch from Covaxin to Covishield and vice versa. Current government guidelines maintain that you should receive the same vaccine in both doses, even if that means sacrificing the timeline for a second dose. Getting a different vaccine for your second dose might be theoretically possible, but certainly not studied or recommended.

According to doctors, one is recommended to complete his immunisation programme against COVID-19 with the same vaccine that was administered for the first dose. Delaying the second dose won’t be an issue. Switching different vaccines is not advisable. This is what the experts has to say at this stage. Doctors recommend to complete his immunisation programme against COVID-19 with the same vaccine that was administered for the first dose. “Delaying the second dose won’t be an issue. Switching different vaccines is not advisable,” opines one such expert.