Health experts from the Public Health England, have concluded that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, which is an Indian origin Variant of Concern (VoC).

"This evidence of the effectiveness of two doses against variants shows just how crucial it is to get the second dose. It is our way out of the pandemic" - Matt Hancock, UK Health Secretary.

The researchers, who have been conducting a regular analysis of the Variants of Concern, have concluded from their latest study that while Pfizer/BioNBTech vaccine is 96% effective, the Oxfor/AstraZeneca is 92% effective against hospitalisation. These numbers have been found to be comparable to the 2-dose effectiveness against Alpha Variant of Concern (166 persons out of 14,109 persons in the study were hospitalised).

What are the current eligibility criteria for the 2nd Dose in India:

• COVAXIN: 2nd Dose after 4-6 weeks
• COVISHIELD: 2nd Dose after 84 days...except:
  • those travelling abroad for work/interviews
  • those travelling abroad for studies
  • those participating in international events
  • for the above three categories, system changes will be made very soon. The minimum gap though has to be 28 days. Those falling in the above three categories need to be travelling before 31 August and have to present the necessary documentation to process the changes to their dosage as well as update their Vaccination Certificates.