Those who have recovered from Covid-19 infection should take the vaccine only after three months of their recovery, according to the new rules announced by the Union health ministry. If a person gets infected by Covid-19 after the first dose of the vaccine, he should also wait for three months after recovery before taking the second dose of the vaccine.
The new rules are based on the recommendations made by NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19), headed by NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul. Until now, there was no fixed time gap for taking vaccination under these conditions.
The expert group had also recommended vaccination for lactating women which the government has accepted. However, no decision has been taken on pregnant women as of now.
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The new rules clarify that those with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalisation or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before vaccination.
A person can donate blood after 14 days of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative if suffering from Covid-19 disease, according to the new rules.
The new rules have also made it clear that Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is not required prior to Covid-19 vaccination.
"Based on available real-life evidence, particularly from the United Kingdom, the COVID-19 Working Group has agreed to increase dosing interval between two doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks. No change in intervals for Covaxin was recommended," the health ministry said in a statement.
