The Union Health Ministry has come out with a new guideline for people taking the COVID-19 vaccine including a precautionary dose.

As per the new directive issued by the National Health Mission (NHM) individuals should defer taking coronavirus if they have tested COVID-19 positive.

In a letter to the states and UTs, Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary & Mission Director NHM said that in case of individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness, all vaccination including precautionary dose should be deferred by 3 months after recovery.

The NHM had received requests from various quarters for guidance in regard to the administration of the precaution dose to the eligible persons having COVID-19 illness.

Such guidance is based on scientific evidence and recommendation of NTAGI, the letter read.

The NHM urged the states and UTs to direct the concerned officials to take note and also ensure effective dissemination of the information to service providers as well as the general public through all forms of media including vernacular media. 

Meanwhile, India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 160.43 crores after over 70 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As per government data, 70,49,779 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

India’s COVID vaccination drive was completed one year on January 16, 2022.

The drive which was started last year by inoculating healthcare workers was then expanded to frontline workers, followed by people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with comorbidities on March 1 last year.

Later it was also expanded to all above 45 years of age on April 1, 2021, and then those above 18 years of age on May 1, 2021.

The vaccination drive for the 15-18 age group began on January 3, 2022, and for administering the precautionary doses to the healthcare workers, frontline workers and sixty plus individuals then commenced on January 10 this year.