The Coronavirus Crisis Cell decided Wednesday to postpone the dates for the second dose for those who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and to schedule the dates for the second dose to be after 11-13 weeks of the initial dose.

In statements, they explained that after following up on AstraZeneca jab information based on the most prominent scientific studies and global recommendations in regards to the vaccine, the Crisis Cell recommended the necessity to postpone the second dose of the vaccine to at least 11-13 weeks after the intial dose to obtain maximum benefits from the jab.

The added that studies have shown that the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine gives protection that can reach 76 percent, however, the protection against COVID-19 drops to 54 percent if the second dose is taken after six weeks or less.

However, if the second jab is administered after 11 to 13 weeks, the degree of protection rises to a rate of 82.4 percent. This decision is adopted by a large number of countries that use this vaccine, said the Crisis Cell.