The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday said Covid-19 vaccination is to be deferred by 3 months after recovery from the illness."The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19's (NEGVAC) recommendations have been based on the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence & experience," the ministry said. The fresh rules are part of the recommendations by NEGVAC -- the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 led by NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul --- which have been accepted by the Union health ministry.
The new expert group has also recommended vaccination for lactating women.Further, it said that an individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving the vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative if suffering from COVID. "Vaccination is recommended for lactating women. No need for screening of vaccine recipients by Rapid Antigen Test prior to vaccination," the health ministry said. Earlier on Tuesday, over 500 prominent public health practitioners, doctors, economists, workers unions and human rights groups appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines reach the vulnerable and ramping up manufacturing to address shortages.