The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has advised people who have recovered from Coronavirus infection to wait for six months before getting a vaccine jab. The government panel also suggested that the gap between two doses of Covidhield should be increased to 12 to 16 weeks which is currently four to eight weeks.
According to recommendations by the government panel, those having laboratory tests proven SARS-CoV-2 illness should defer Covid-19 vaccination for six months after the recovery. The advisory also stated patients who are given anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma may defer vaccination for three months from the day of discharge.
In cases of individuals who have received the first jab of Covid vaccine and have tested positive before getting the second shot, they should wait for four to eight weeks after clinical recovery from illness. Patients of any other serious illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for at least 4-8 weeks before getting the next dose.
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According to Union Health Ministry’s current protocol, pregnant and lactating women are not to be administered the vaccine. However, the panel has recommended that all pregnant women should be offered the choice to take any Covid19 vaccine, also lactating women can be inoculated any time after the delivery.
The government panel, NTAGI said that all pregnant women visiting ANC care should be informed about the risks and benefits of vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin. After this, pregnant women can take their own decision based on the given information.
It is anticipated that an education tool may be developed that will provide information on the risk of Coronavirus infection during pregnancy, benefits of vaccination, and the rare complications associated with vaccines like thrombosis and thrombocytopenia.
The advisory by NTAGI is to be sent to the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid19 (NEGVAC).