Change in Covishield two-dose vaccine schedule, from 12 weeks to 4 weeks for Tokyo bound athletes; change in vaccination policy for persons seeking international travel for education and employment opportunities. 

The union ministry of health and family welfare has changed in Covishield two-dose vaccine schedule, from 12 weeks to 4 weeks for Tokyo bound athletes. They have also reduced the gap between two-dose for the people seeking international travel for education and employment opportunities. 

A notification, dated June 7, 2021, regarding change in Covishield two-dose vaccine schedule has been issued and directions regarding this has been marked to all the states and UTs. 

In last four months, Covishield two-dose vaccine schedule has been widened thrice. 

Initially, the government of India had fixed the gap between two-dose of Covishield to minimum 4 weeks. Later they increased from 4 weeks to 6-8 weeks sighting better results. 
Last month, the government further increased the gap between two-dose to 12 weeks, sighting scientific study behind widening the gap. 

Now, after the first Covishield dose is administered, the second dose will be given after the gap of 12 weeks. 

If reducing the gap between two doses of Covishield still gives better protection to our Tokyo bound athletes or to the students travelling abroad or for the job seekers on foreign lands, so then why the government widened it from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, in general?