Coronavirus Vaccination: Precaution Dose To Be Delayed By Three Months Post COVID Recovery, Says Govt

The directive came as officials sought guidance with respect to the administration of precaution doses. So far, 161.16 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in India.

Representative Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The Union government has stated that COVID vaccination, including precaution doses, for individuals having lab test proven coronavirus infection will be deferred by three months after recovery.

The directive came as officials sought guidance with respect to the administration of precaution doses for the eligible persons having contracted COVID infection.

In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Health Ministry’s Additional Secretary Vikas Sheel on Friday stated that requests have been received from various quarters for guidance in regard to the administration of precaution dose to the eligible persons having COVID illness.

“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 stated, as quoted by news agency PTI.

“I request you to kindly direct the concerned officials to take note,” Vikas Sheel added in the letter.

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The Additional Secretary & Mission Director NHM writes a letter to states and UT’s that if a beneficiary tests positive then all vaccination including precaution dose to be deferred by 3 months after recovery.

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- Prasar Bharati News Services (@pbns_india) 22 Jan 2022

He further mentioned that the suggestion is based on scientific evidence and recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years started from January 3, and the administration of precaution dose for Health Care Workers (HCWS), Front Line Workers (FLWs), and persons aged 60 years and above with co-morbidities began from January 10.

The prioritisation and sequencing of this precaution dose are based on the completion of nine months i.e. 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.

COVID Vaccination In India

So far, 161.16 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in India. With the administration of more than 67 lakh doses (67,49,746) vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 161.16 crore (1,61,16,60,078).

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, more than 160.58 crore (1,60,58,13,745) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through the Centre and through the direct state procurement category.

More than 12.79 crore (12,79,45,321) balance and unutilised COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.

(With Agency Inputs)