NEW DELHI, May 19: Those suffering from COVID-19 as well as those who have contracted it after taking the first vaccine dose should go for the jabs three months after fully recovering from the disease, the Union Health ministry said on Wednesday.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women and an individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving anti-coronavirus shot or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from the disease.
Also, vaccination in COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma should be deferred by three months from the date of discharge from the hospital.
These decisions were taken by the ministry based on the fresh recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) and have also been communicated to the states and union territories, an official statement said.
In case of individuals who have received at least the first dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule, the second dose should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness, the ministry said.
People with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalisation or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine, the ministry said. Regarding vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is under discussion and further deliberation, the ministry said. (PTI)
