Health ministry lists precautions and contraindications for COVID-19 vaccination

The Health Ministry said Thursday that the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines is not allowed and that pregnant and lactating women should not receive the vaccines because they have not been part of any clinical trial of a vaccine so far. coronavirus.

In a letter to all states and federal territories, the ministry emphasized that under the Emergency Use Permit, vaccination against the Coronavirus is indicated only for those over 18 years of age. If necessary, the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines should be separated with an interval of at least 14 days.

"The possibility of exchanging COVID-19 vaccines is not allowed. The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must be the same as the first," says the letter, written by Manohar Anani, additional secretary of the Trade Union Ministry.

The Ministry has listed the precautions and contraindications for COVID-19 vaccination, along with a comparative data sheet for each of the two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxine), which contains information on the vaccine platform, physical specifications, doses, Cold chain storage requirements, contraindications, and minor adverse (adverse) effects. Next immunization event).

He said this information should be shared with program managers at all levels and with cold chain processors and vaccinators for ease of reference.

In the list of contraindications, the Ministry of Health has warned against administering the vaccine to people who have a history of allergy or allergic reaction to a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and to people who suffer from immediate or delayed anaphylaxis or allergic reaction to vaccines or injectable treatments and pharmaceuticals. And food and more.

According to the letter, if there are active symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, coronavirus patients who have received anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, and patients who are very ill and hospitalized for any disease , should Postpone COVID-19 vaccination for four to eight weeks after recovery.

"Pregnant and lactating women have not yet been part of any COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. Therefore, pregnant or unsafe women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine at this time. "he declared.

The vaccine should be administered with caution to people with a history of any bleeding or clotting disorders (such as a deficiency of a clotting factor, a blood clotting disorder, or a platelet disorder, she said.

The following conditions are not contraindicated for COVID-19 vaccines: people with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or RT-PCR positive disease, a history of chronic disease, morbidity, immunodeficiency, HIV, and patients with immunosuppression due to In any case ".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign in India on January 16 via video conference, even as appropriate doses of Covaxin vaccines from Bharat Biotech and Serum's Covishield Institute have been delivered across the country to all states. and union territories.

The letter also mentions mild post-vaccination effects after vaccination for both vaccines.

In the case of Covishied, some mild reversible effects such as injection site pain, injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, malaise, pyrexia, chills, arthralgia and nausea can occur. Some of the mild airway effects of Covaxin include injection site pain, headache, fatigue, fever, body aches, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, cold, cough and swelling at the injection site. The letter added that acetaminophen can be used to relieve symptoms of adverse reactions after vaccination.

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