India's main opposition party, Congress, on Wednesday, questioned the decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to double the gap between the doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, asking whether it was prompted by a vaccine shortage.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said India needs quick and complete vaccination and not the BJP's "brand of lies and rhyming slogans" to cover up the vaccine shortage caused by the government's inaction.

He also alleged that the government was trying to save the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attempts that are facilitating the virus and costing people's lives.

The AstraZeneca shot accounts for nearly 90% of the 257.5 million vaccine doses administered in India, where some states have curtailed vaccination programmes over supply constraints. The government said that the gap was increased based on scientific evidence and that the issue had been discussed in detail by members of NTAGI as well as its working group on COVID-19.

"We have a very open and transparent system where decisions are taken on scientific basis," said N.K. Arora, chairman of the working group, according to a government statement on Wednesday. Arora said that the decision to expand the gap to up to 16 weeks had been made to provide "flexibility" for those who may not be able to get the second dose at 12 weeks.

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