<span style="color: #222222;">Union Health Ministry has accepted the recommendations of  National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, NEGVAC regarding deferment of vaccination by three months after recovery from Covid -19. The Ministry said, the individuals having lab test proven COVID-19 illness then they should defer COVID-19 vaccination by 3 months after recovery. Besides, the COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma in that case the COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital. It was also recommended that if an individual is infected with COVID after 1st dose then the 2nd dose should also be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from the illness. It was also said that persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for 4 to 8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In the recommendation it was suggested that 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. The Ministry said, the COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women. It said, there is also  no requirement for screening of the vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination of pregnant women, the Ministry said,  the matter is under discussion.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Union Health Ministry has also written to States to direct the concerned officials to take note of these recommendations and undertake necessary action for their effective implementation. </span><br />''