People who have ever had :
- a severe allergic reaction to any of the active substances or any of the other ingredients in the vaccine
- a major blood clot occurring at the same time as having low levels of platelets after receiving any COVID-19 vaccine
- ever had a condition known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT or HIT type 2)
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI , NHS, Covishield Factsheet, Covaxin Factsheet, Sputnik V Information
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 COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women. However, regarding COVID-19 Vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is currently under discussion.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- GOI, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
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 COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women. However, regarding COVID-19 Vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is currently under discussion.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- GOI, PIB Press Release on New Recommendations of NEGVAC on COVID-19 Vaccination
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
Chronic diseases and morbidities like the cardiac, neurological, pulmonary, metabolic, renal and malignancies etc. are not contraindicated. In fact, the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death is for those who have these comorbidities.
Yes. A history of thromboses or clots on its own is NOT a contraindication to the vaccine. Even people on blood thinners can safely take the vaccine. However, please do inform the vaccinator about the medications prior to the vaccination.
An Expert Haematology Panel in the UK advises that there is no evidence that individuals with a prior history of thrombosis or known risk factors for thrombosis are more at risk of developing the immune complication reported after the AstraZeneca (Covishield®) vaccine.
Source: Expert Hematology Panel, UK
A history of thromboses or clots on its own is NOT a contraindication to the vaccine.
The contraindications to vaccination with the Covishield® vaccine include individuals who have a history of other extremely rare immune-mediated syndromes that are characterised by thrombosis or clots in combination with thrombocytopenia ( low platelet count) – this includes a previous episode of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia or the same specific clinical picture in association with antiphospholipid syndrome. These individuals may be offered vaccination with an alternative COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- GOI, Expert Hematology Panel, UK
Yes, he can. If a patient has a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) without concurrent thrombocytopenia, then they can receive the COVID vaccine. Likewise, if they have had an arterial thrombosis e.g. myocardial infarction without thrombocytopenia then they can receive the covid vaccine.
Many patients who have had a history of blood clots may be concerned as to whether they also had low platelets at the same time. This is likely to have been communicated at the time of diagnosis of the blood clot and be recorded in the patient’s medical records. In the absence of this being recorded in the patient’s medical records, such individuals can be offered the vaccine.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-GOI, Expert Hematology Panel, UK
It is NOT recommended to take aspirin before vaccination, unless this is already part of your patient’s regular medications. Investigations are underway to understand the biological mechanisms behind this extremely rare condition of thromboembolic events with thrombocytopenia and whether the association is related to the vaccine platform (the way in which the vaccine delivers antigen) or some other immunological mechanism. Whilst aspirin may be used to reduce clotting risk in other conditions, it is not currently thought to have the same effect in this condition and may in fact worsen the outcome by increasing the risk of bleeding. Therefore no one should self-medicate with aspirin to cover the period around and after the vaccination.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-GOI, Expert Hematology Panel, UK
There are a few bleeding disorders like ‘haemophilia’. These persons should take the vaccine under the supervision of their treating physician. Patients who are admitted in hospital or ICU and have bleeding problems should delay the vaccination till they are discharged. However, several people with heart and brain disorders are on blood thinners like aspirin and antiplatelet drugs. They can continue with their medicines and have the vaccines. For them, vaccines are absolutely safe.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-GOI, Expert Hematology Panel, UK
In the initial phase, COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to the priority group- healthcare and frontline workers. The second phase vaccinations, starting March 1, 2021 will allow for all Indians above the age of 60 and Indians between the age of 45 and 59 with comorbidities to be vaccinationated. Registrations will be allowed on the Co-WIN 2.0 Portal, Aarogya Setu app etc.
The comorbidities that make a person high risk for COVID infections are:
- Heart Failure with hospital admission in past one year
- Post Cardiac Transplant/Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
- Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <40%)
- Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease
- Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or Idiopathic PAH
- Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
- Angina AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
- CT/MRI documented stroke AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
- Pulmonary Artery Hypertension AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
- Diabetes (> 10 years OR with complications) AND Hypertension on treatment
- Kidney/ Liver/ Hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/On wait-list
- End Stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/ CAPD
- Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/ immunosuppressant medications
- Decompensated cirrhosis
- Severe respiratory disease with hospitalizations in last two years/FEV1 <50%
- Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/ Myeloma
- Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1st July 2020 OR currently on any cancer therapy
- Sickle Cell Disease/ Bone marrow failure/ Aplastic Anemia/ Thalassemia Major
- Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection
- Persons with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ Persons with disabilities having high support needs/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness
