Citing precautions and contraindications for the vaccination of Covid-19 before the massive immunization scheduled for tomorrow, the Ministry of Health of the Union has announced that the interchangeability of the vaccine is not authorized while pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not receive the vaccine of Covid-19 at this time.
In a letter to the States/Union Territories, the Ministry of Health shared a competitive fact sheet for both vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin). They provide information on the vaccine platform, physical characteristics, dosage requirements, cold storage requirements, contraindications and minor AEFIs.
Factsheet on Covaxin and Covishield To States
- The Ministry of Health has instructed the States/UTs to disseminate information to program managers at all levels and, through them, to call chain managers and vaccine providers for ready reference.
- Mentioning precautions and contraindications for vaccination against COVID-19, the letter noted: “Under the emergency use authorisation, COVID-19 vaccination is indicated only for 18 years and above. Interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccine is not permitted. The second dose should also be of the same COVID-19 vaccine which was administered as the first dose.”
- In the case of co-administration of vaccines: if possible, Covid-19 and other vaccines should be separated by an interval of at least 14 days, the Ministry suggested.
- Explaining the contraindication, the letter said, “A person with a history of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Immediate or delayed onset anaphylaxis or allergic reaction to vaccine or injection able therapies, pharmaceutical products, food items etc.”
- “Pregnancy and lactation: pregnant and lactating women have not been part of any COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial so far. Therefore, women who are pregnant or not sure of the pregnancy, and lactating women should not receive COVID-19 vaccine at this time,” the government said. Provisional and temporary contraindications: under these circumstances, vaccination with COVID-19 should be postponed for 4 to 8 weeks after recovery.4
- “Persons having active symptoms of SARS-CoV2 to infection. SARS-CoV2 patients who have been given anti-SARS-CoV2 monoclonal antibodies on convalescent plasma. Acutely unwell and hospitalized patients (with or without intensive care) patients due to any illness.
- Special precautions: the vaccine should be used with caution in individuals with a history of bleeding or coagulation disorder, such as clotting factor deficiency, coagulopathy or platelet disorder.
- The following conditions are not contraindicated for COVID-19 vaccines: a person with a previous history of SARS-CoV2 infection or RTPCR-positive illness. History of chronic illnesses and disorders (cardiac, neurological, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, malignancies). Immunodeficiency, HIV, immunosuppressive patients attributable to some disorder (response to the Covid vaccine may be less in these individuals)
India has two Covid-19 vaccines—Covishield and Covaxin Emergency Use Authorization after complying with proven protection and immunogenicity via a well-prescribed regulatory procedure.
This vaccine can cost between 200 and 295 in India. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Health announced that the full initial amount of 1,65 crore doses of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN vaccines had been distributed to all States and Union Territories in the proportion of the Health Care Workers database.