(Photo: PAP/VNA)

The Ministry responded to proposals on Monday from some cities and provinces to shorten the gap between two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from eight to 12 weeks to just six weeks.

According to the ministry, AstraZeneca vaccine manufacturers advise that the second dose should be administered about four to 12 weeks after the first dose.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recommends an interval of between eight and 12 weeks. The protection rate of the vaccine increases to 80 per cent 12 weeks after the first dose.

A study conducted by Oxford University in June showed a longer delay of up to 45 weeks between the first and second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine leads to enhanced immune response after the second dose.