NEGVAC recommendations for COVID vaccinations

As per the new recommendations released by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) COVID vaccinations must be deferred by 3 months after recovery from the illness. Some of these recommendations have been given below-

Deferring the COVID-19 vaccination in the following scenario:

1. Individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months after recovery.

   • SARS-2 COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital.

   • Individuals who have received at least the 1st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule: the 2nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness.

   • Persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

2.  An individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receipt of COVID-19 vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from COVID-19 disease.

3. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women.

4. There is no requirement for screening of the vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination.