India sets new Vaccination Guidelines, many countries face crisis due to vaccine shortage

India is only second after the USA in total Covid 19 vaccine dozes administered till now with figures touching almost 200 million. A statement released by Serum Institute of India (SII), the major producer of Covishield (AZ vaccine) yesterday, Mr Adar Poonawalla said that a country like India with such a large population cannot be vaccinated fully in 2-3 months, it would rather take 2-3 years. The progress made by India in vaccinating its people is truly remarkable as compared to most other countries.

Today, the Health Ministry gave approval to the recommendations of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). These guidelines come after it has been decided that the interval between first and second dose will now be 12 -16 weeks in pace of 6-8 weeks followed before. These recommendations have been based on the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence & experience. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted these recommendations, which are as follows, and has communicated these to the States and UTs also:

Deferring the COVID-19 vaccination in the following scenario:

1. 1. Individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months after recovery.
   2. SARS-2 COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital.
   3. Individuals who have received at least the 1^st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule: the 2^nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness.
   4. Persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

An individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receipt of COVID-19 vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from COVID-19 disease. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women. There is no requirement for screening of the vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination. Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is under discussion and further deliberation by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

This comes after the The Union Health Ministry has written to States and UTs to direct the concerned officials to take note of these recommendations and undertake necessary action for their effective implementation. States have been advised to ensure effective dissemination of the information to service provides as well as the general public, through use of all channels of information and communication in the local languages. States have also been advised to undertake training of the vaccination staff at all levels.

While the shortage of adequate vaccines is felt across the country, India is not the only country reeling under the vaccine crisis. Reuters today reported that Germany’s vaccine rollout has descended into a frenzy as people turn to tip-offs, online message boards and cold calls to doctors in a scramble to get a COVID-19 shot. People are already showing up at doctors’ practices and trying to get vaccines even when it is not their turn and the mood has become increasingly aggressive, doctors have said.From June 7, Germany will lift restrictions for all people, Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Monday, but warned that not everyone will be able to get vaccinated immediately, pointing to ongoing logistical and supply bottlenecks. Compounding the rush for a vaccine in Germany is a decision to ease COVID curbs for the fully vaccinated who no longer need a negative test to go shopping or visit a restaurant and are exempted from quarantine when returning from abroad.

India has rolled out a fully automated system to prioritise vaccination and monitor the progress. In India, tech experts have written software code and designed websites to help people book COVID-19 vaccinations online. But critics say the workarounds give an unfair advantage to the tech-savvy. As more vaccines become available and if the IPR waiver comes through affording many more manufacturers to produce vaccines, the process will become faster. New lessons are being learnt from experience and scientific studies which can lead to more efficient protocols for administering he vaccines.