Epidemic Information

First Edition of COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines Released! Quick Overview
• On March 29, the National Health Commission (NHC) issued the Technical Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination (First Edition), clarifying key questions such as when recovered COVID-19 patients can be vaccinated, whether individuals under 18 or pregnant women are eligible, and more.

  5 Groups Ineligible for Vaccination

  The guidelines specify that the following individuals should not receive COVID-19 vaccines:
  
  
  1. Those allergic to vaccine active ingredients, inactive ingredients, or production process materials, or with a history of allergic reactions to similar vaccines.
  2. Those with a history of severe vaccine-related allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, difficulty breathing).
  3. Individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy or severe neurological disorders (e.g., transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, demyelinating diseases).
  4. Those with fever, acute illnesses, acute exacerbation of chronic diseases, or uncontrolled severe chronic conditions.
  5. Pregnant women.

  6 Specific Populations: Key Considerations

  1. Individuals aged 60 and older

  • High-risk group for severe illness/death from COVID-19.
  • Limited Phase III trial data in this group, but Phase I/II trials show safe tolerability. Neutralizing antibody titers are slightly lower than in 18–59-year-olds, but seroconversion rates are similar. Vaccination is recommended.

  2. Individuals under 18 years old

  • No clinical trial data available for this age group. Vaccination is not recommended at this time.

  3. Chronic disease patients

  • High-risk group for severe illness/death.
  • Those with stable health conditions and well-controlled symptoms (via medication) are not contraindicated and should be vaccinated.

  4. Reproductive-age and breastfeeding women

  • Pregnant women: Vaccination is contraindicated (see 5th ineligible group).
  • Post-vaccination pregnancy: No need for special medical measures (e.g., abortion) solely due to vaccination; proceed with prenatal care.
  • Breastfeeding women at high risk of COVID-19 (e.g., healthcare workers): Vaccination is recommended. Continue breastfeeding afterward, following international practices to prioritize infant nutrition/health.

  5. Immunocompromised individuals

  • High-risk group for severe illness/death.
  • Inactivated/recombinant subunit vaccines: Recommended based on safety data from similar vaccines.
  • Adenovirus vector vaccines: Limited safety data for this platform; vaccination is advised after informed consent, weighing benefits against risks.

  6. Previous COVID-19 patients/infected individuals

  • Rare reinfection within 6 months of recovery.
  • Can receive a single dose of vaccine 6 months after infection (after confirming no active infection).

  Key Takeaways

  • Safety focus: Clear contraindications for allergies, uncontrolled diseases, and pregnancy.
  • High-risk prioritization: Strong recommendations for seniors, stable chronic disease patients, and frontline workers.
  • Evidence-based guidance: Cautions for groups with limited data (under 18s, immunocompromised) while encouraging vaccination where benefits outweigh risks.
  
  
  Source: National Health Commission of China, Technical Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination (First Edition) (March 29, 2021).
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