These People Shouldn’t Have Covid-19 Vaccination: Govt Issues Guidelines For Vaccines

On Thursday, the health ministry said that interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines is not permitted.

Also, pregnant and lactating women should not be administered the shots as they have not been part of any anti-coronavirus vaccine clinical trial so far.

Directions For Use Of Covid-19 Vaccine

Further, the ministry highlighted that under the emergency use authorization, coronavirus vaccination is indicated only for 18 years and above, In a letter to all states and Union territories.

Apart from that, they also mentioned that the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines should be separated by an interval of at least 14 days if required.

Moving ahead, they have listed the precautions and contraindications for the COVID-19 vaccination along with a comparative factsheet for both the vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin).

This information further detail contains information on the vaccine platform, physical specifications, dosage, cold-chain storage requirements, contraindications and minor AEFIs (adverse event following immunization).

This information should be disseminated to program managers across all levels.

Through them, it should be available to cold-chain handlers and vaccinators, so that it could be available for ready reference.

Cautions To Be Taken While Giving The COVID-19 Vaccine

Further, the health ministry cautioned against the administration of the vaccine, by listing the contraindications, in persons with a history of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

 Also, in those with immediate or delayed onset anaphylaxis or allergic reaction to vaccines or injectable therapies, pharmaceutical products, food items, among others.

In case of persons having active symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, coronavirus infected patients who have been given anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma and acutely unwell and hospitalized patients due to any illness, the COVID-19 vaccination is to be deferred for four to eight weeks after recovery, the letter read.

In addition to that, the vaccine should be administered with caution in persons with a history of any bleeding or coagulation disorder (like clotting factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder, it said.

Further, the letter said, “Following conditions are not contraindicated for COVID-19 vaccines –persons with past history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and or RT-PCR positive illness, history of chronic diseases and morbidities and immuno-deficiency, HIV, patients on immune-suppression due to any condition,”.

Massive Covid-19 Vaccination Drive In India

On January 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be launching India’s massive COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing.

So far, adequate doses of Bharat Biotech’s ‘Covaxin’ and Serum Institute’s ‘Covishield’ vaccines have been delivered across the country to all states and Union territories.

In this letter, the details of mild AEFIs following vaccination is mentioned for both vaccines.

According to them, some mild AEFI may occur in cases of Covishied including injection site tenderness, injection site pain, headache, fatigue, myalgia, malaise, pyrexia, chills and arthralgia and nausea.

While in the case of Covaxin, some mild AEFIs like injection site pain, headache, fatigue, fever, body ache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness-giddiness, tremor, sweating, cold, cough and injection site swelling may occur.

In the case of post-vaccination adverse reactions,  Paracetamol may be used to provide symptomatic relief, as mentioned in the letter.