Guwahati: The Centre announced on Friday that Covid immunization including preventive doses will be postponed for three months following recovery for people who have had a coronavirus infection confirmed by a lab test.
In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Health Ministry Additional Secretary Vikas Sheel said that requests for assistance on administering the preventive dose to eligible people with Covid disease had come from a variety of sources.
“Please note that: -In case of individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness, all Covid vaccination including Precaution dose to be deferred by 3 months after recovery,” he said.
“I request you to kindly direct the concerned officials to take note,” Mr. Sheel said in the letter.
The suggestion is based on scientific evidence and the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, he said.
COVID-19 vaccination of teenagers aged 15 to 18 years began on January 3, and administration of a precaution dosage to Health Care Workers (HCWS), Front Line Workers (FLWs), and people aged 60 and up with co-morbidities began on January 10.
This cautionary dose is prioritized and sequenced based on the completion of nine months or 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.