- Persons with history of:
- Anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- Immediate or delayed-onset anaphylaxis or allergic reaction to vaccines or injectable therapies, pharmaceutical products, food-items etc.
2. Pregnancy:
- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accepted the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on 19/05/2021. Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is currently under discussion.
- Provisional / temporary contraindications:
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accepted the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on 19/05/2021. It states that:
- in all individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness, the COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred by 3 months after recovery.
- in all COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, the COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital.
- in all individuals who have received at least the 1st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule, the 2nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness.
- all persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI , NHS, Covishield Factsheet, Covaxin Factsheet, Sputnik V Information, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
Immune issues are of two types: one, immunosuppression due to any disease such as AIDS, and people on immunosuppressant drugs such as anti-cancer drugs, steroids, etc. Second, immunodeficiency in people who suffer from some defect in the body’s protective system such as congenital immunodeficiency.
Currently, available COVID-19 vaccines do not have any live virus and therefore individuals with immune issues can have the vaccine safely. But the vaccine may not be as effective in them. One should inform the vaccinator about the medicines they consume and if they are suffering from any known immune issues. The vaccinator should have a record of one’s medical condition.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI , NHS, Covishield Factsheet, Covaxin Factsheet, Sputnik V Information
COVID-19 affects all age groups; however, morbidity & mortality is several times higher in adults particularly in those above the age of 50 years. Children have either asymptomatic or mild infections. The general practice is to first evaluate any new vaccine in the older population and then age reduction is done to assess the safety and effectiveness in the paediatric population. The currently available vaccines have not been evaluated in children so far. There are some clinical trials now underway to test the effectiveness and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in children.
The people at highest risk of exposure such as health care and frontline workers will receive the vaccine on priority. These personnel are also a likely source of infection of their family members. Other family members will be vaccinated according to the age specific prioritization by the Government of India.
Immunosuppressed patients, due to disease or treatment are clinically extremely vulnerable and should be vaccinated against COVID-19. There are no groups of potentially immunosuppressed patients that should be excluded from receiving the vaccine based on their treatment or disease alone. It is, however, noted that some immunosuppressed patients may have a suboptimal response to the vaccine and should therefore continue to avoid exposure unless they are advised otherwise by their doctor.
Yes, cancer patients, due to the disease or chemotherapy are clinically extremely vulnerable and should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In terms of timing it is suggested that, if relevant, administration should be timed to coincide with when blood counts have maximally recovered but avoided on the same day as chemotherapy. It is also noted that thrombocytopenia may be a minor consideration due to the need for an intramuscular injection – they state that a platelet count of >20×109/L would be preferable. It is advised that ideally vaccination should be delayed in patients with neutropenia who are unwell until the neutrophil count has recovered to >1 x109 /L and are well again. Patients with chronic neutropenia should be vaccinated without delay.
It is also stated that medicines such as BCG, mitomycin, gemcitabine given by bladder instillation do not impact on timing of vaccination.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI ,UK Chemotherapy Board
It is safe to have the COVID-19 vaccine alongside steroid exposure, but the patient may not mount such a good immune response. Do not delay vaccination for someone who is taking, has received or is soon to receive steroids in any form.
However, if a person is due for a non-essential steroid injection, it should be deferred by 2 weeks after the vaccine, to enable the patient to mount the best response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, British Society of Rheumatology
You should postpone your vaccine until you feel better and have recovered. Both manufacturers, Serum Institute of India) and Bharat Biotech Limited recommend that vaccination should be postponed. Minor illnesses without fever or systemic upset are not valid reasons to postpone immunisation but individuals who are acutely unwell can have their immunisation postponed until they have fully recovered. This is to avoid confusing the differential diagnosis of any acute illness (including COVID-19) by wrongly attributing any signs or symptoms to the adverse effects of the vaccine.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accepted the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on 19/05/2021. It states that all persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-GOI, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
Yes. Extremes of body weight are not a contraindication for vaccination.
Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK
Yes. Extremes of body weight are not a contraindication for vaccination.
Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accepted the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on 19/05/2021.It states that in all individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness, the COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred by 3 months after recovery.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- GOI, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
Yes. Recent or imminent elective surgery is not a contraindication to routine immunisation with covid vaccination unless the person is acutely unwell. In this case, vaccination should be deferred till they have fully recovered.
Yes.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accepted the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on 19/05/2021. It states that in all individuals who have received at least the 1st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule, the 2nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- GOI, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
