COVID-19 vaccination deferred by 3 months after recovery, says Health Ministry

The National Expert Group on vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) on Wednesday recommended that the COVID vaccination should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery of the illness, reports ANI.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NEGVAC’s fresh recommendations are based on the evolving situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence and experience.

The new recommendations made NEGVAC are as follows:

• Also, if an individual is tested COVID positive after the first dose of vaccine, then the second dose to be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from illness, the NEGVAC recommended.
• The panel has also recommended vaccination for all lactating women.
• There will be no screening of vaccine recipients by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to vaccination.
• Earlier, the time gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine was increased from four-six weeks to six-eight weeks. Earlier this month, it was increased to 12-16 weeks based on the recommendation from the expert panel.