Centre sends list of rules to states on COVID vaccine | Fusion - WeRIndia

As the vaccination drive for COVID-19 is beginning in the country, the Health Ministry sent a list of rules to states and union territories in a letter.

The ministry also shared the factsheet for both vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin. It includes the information on vaccine platform, dosage, cold storage requirements, side effects, physical specifications etc.

Here are the detailed directions, given by the Centre to states and union territories:

• All states and UTs should keep the information of vaccinators and chain handlers ready.
• People aged above 18 years of age will be given the vaccine.
• As the effect of the vaccine on pregnant women and lactating mothers is not known, they should not receive the vaccine.
• Interchangeability of vaccine is not allowed. The second dose should also be of the same vaccine, which was administered as the first dose. For instance, if anyone is administered Covishield as the first dose, they shall be given Covishield as the second dose as well, but not Covaxin.
• If co-administration of the vaccine is essential, an interval of 14 days is needed between the COVID-19 vaccine and the other vaccine.
• Special precautions should be taken while administering the vaccine to people with a history of bleeding or coagulation disorders.
• Vaccination will have to be deferred for the following people: Those who recovered before four to eight weeks with active COVID symptoms, those received plasma therapy, and people who have health issues and hospitalized.
• While both vaccines are found to be safe, they have certain side effects.
• Covishield has the following side effects: Injection site tenderness and pain, headache, fatigue, myalgia, chills, and nausea. In rare cases, it may lead to demyelinating disorders.
• Covaxin has the following side effects: Injection site pain and swelling, fatigue, fever, body ache, abdominal pain, cold and cough, nausea and vomiting, tremor, and sweating. As phase 3 trials are going on, the company did not report any rare or adverse effect.

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