Video title – New Recommendations of (NEGVAC) National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 accepted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Anchor Script (Discussed with Rajiv Sir)

Thumbnail

Government’s undefeated efforts
Promises COVID-free India

Script

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. Amidst the ongoing battle, the central government has always come up with quick-witted manoeuvres for its citizens’ aid. From generating awareness about vaccination to erecting the most powerful vaccination drive, our government has invariably stood up for its citizens.

To counter the surge of COVID infection, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has shared fresh recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These suggestions are based on the current situation of pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence & experience.

These recommendations deal with the deferring of COVID-19 vaccination. Let’s get to know more about them.

The guidelines state that Individuals with lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness should postpone the COVID-19 vaccination by 3 months after recovery. It also states that COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma should delay the COVID-19 vaccination by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital. It also mandates that Individuals who have received at least the 1st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule, In that case, the 2nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness. Moreover, the people facing any other serious illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the vaccine jab.

New recommendations of NEGVAC also suggest that If an individual is suffering from COVID-19, then he/she can donate blood after 14 days of either receipt of COVID-19 vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative. Moreover, no screening of vaccine recipients is required by Rapid Antigen Test before COVID-19 vaccination. It is worth noting that all lactating women are also recommended for COVID-19 vaccination.

Now, let’s get to know more about the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19.

National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 is set up by the government to keep India at the forefront of any ongoing effort worldwide to innovate, prepare, produce and launch candidate vaccines to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of the External Affairs Ministry, this Expert Group connects Indian companies that are interested in any candidate vaccines, and facilitate the process of ensuring that the relevant testing data is made available to our regulatory agencies. They are also engaged in inventory management and delivery mechanisms of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last-mile delivery.

To ensure effective dissemination of the information, the Union Health Ministry has also advised the States to use all channels of information and communication in the local languages. States are also advised to undertake the training of the vaccination staff at all levels.

To corroborate the successful implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, States are also advised to prepare a district-wise, COVID Vaccination Centre (CVC)-wise plan for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Both the States Governments & Private CVCs are required to publish their vaccination calendar on CoWIN digital platform in advance. States are guided to certify that the process of booking appointments on CoWIN is hassle-free and there is no overcrowding at the COVID Vaccination Centre.

In this struggle against the ongoing pandemic, vaccination is a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country. Our government is incessantly reviewing and monitoring the vaccination process at the highest level possible. With our shared efforts, we will successfully overcome this battle, as they say, “where there is unity, there is always victory”.