We are about to meet six months since the vaccines against Covid-19 began to be applied in our country. Since then, there are just over 27 million people who have received at least one dose. While there are 16.5 million inhabitants who already have the complete scheme. Thanks to the above, a decrease in mortality has been achieved.
However, it is necessary to remember that so far the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has already authorized the emergency use of seven different types of vaccines. Those that have the endorsement are those of AstraZeneca, Cansino, Pfizer, Sinovac, Sputnik V, Covaxin and Johnson & Johnson.
People who shouldn’t get the vaccine
For its part, although the ideal is that everyone receives the inoculation in a timely manner, it should also be taken into account that there are some restrictions. In addition, the recommendations are constantly updated. Just a few weeks ago the Ministry of Health (SSa) withdrew the contraindication to pregnant women and now they can receive any biological against Covid-19.
For its part, also a few days ago the Cofepris was announced licenses the Pfizer vaccine for use in children and adolescents 12-15 years of age.
With the above in mind, we share the updated contraindications of each of the Covid-19 vaccines authorized in Mexico. All the information has been taken from the official technical guides published by Cofepris and SSa. The only one that remains pending is that of Covaxin because, although it already has the permit, no doses have yet been applied in the country.
Pfizer / BioNTech
- The vaccine is contraindicated in people who have recently fallen ill with Covid-19 and have not yet recovered.
- Patients who have received convalescent plasma treatment to recover from Covid-19 must wait at least 90 days to get the vaccine.
- People with a mild allergy can be vaccinated, however, when the allergy is severe (anaphylactic) they could be vaccinated if the allergy is not related to any component of the vaccine.
- Because the phase III clinical trials did not include people under 16 years of age, for now vaccines are not indicated in this sector of the population.
- Immunosuppression is not an absolute contraindication, since, due to the characteristics of the formula, it is a safe vaccine for this population.
- Lactating women will be able to receive the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, as it does not contain attenuated or inactivated viruses for its composition.
- People with a body temperature greater than 38 degrees Celsius and bleeding disorders cannot be given the vaccine.
- The Covid-19 vaccine should be given after 14 days after another immunization.
- In the case of people with HIV, those who have the virus under control may apply the anti-Covid vaccine, while those who do not have it under control should consult with their family doctor.
AstraZeneca / University of Oxford
- Contraindicated vaccine in people with severe allergy (anaphylaxis).
- People with allergies to the first dose should not receive the second dose.
- Since phase III trials of this vaccine were not conducted in children and adolescents, it is recommended that it not be applied in these sectors of the population.
- People with a body temperature greater than 38.5 degrees Celsius should postpone vaccination until the fever subsides.
- The application of this type of vaccine in people over 65 years of age is considered safe.
- The vaccine is recommended in people with comorbidities such as: obesity, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes, in which it performed well.
- The AstraZeneca vaccine does not show irregularities in its application in lactating women, so it is not recommended to suspend breastfeeding, neither before nor after receiving the biological.
- HIV-positive people can be vaccinated.
- Immunosuppressed people and people with autoimmune diseases can get vaccinated.
- The AstraZeneca dose is safe in people who have previously been ill with Covid-19. Symptomatic reinfection within 6 months of initial infection is rare.
- You will not be able to vaccinate people with current Covid-19, until you have a full recovery from the virus.
- Patients who have received convalescent plasma treatment to recover from Covid-19 must wait at least 90 days to get the vaccine.
Sputnik V
- The vaccines are contraindicated in people with known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or to a vaccine containing components similar to the SPUTNIK V vaccine, people with a history of severe allergy (anaphylactic reaction type), people who have severe acute illnesses (either infectious or non-infectious) or have an exacerbation of chronic diseases, which imply a compromise of the general state.
- The vaccine is contraindicated in people who have recently had COVID-19 and have not yet recovered. Until now, and according to the scientific evidence available, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 should be deferred 90 days in individuals who have received convalescent plasma prior to vaccination. The transfusion of red blood cells (erythrocyte concentrate) does not warrant deferral since it is a deplasmatized blood component.
- For the administration of Component 2 or second dose, it will be contraindicated in people who presented serious complications after vaccination of component 1 of the SPUTNIK V vaccine (anaphylactic shock, generalized and severe allergic reactions, convulsive syndrome, fever over 40ºC, etc.).
- People under 18 years of age: Because, in the trials of this vaccine were not included, there is no information on the vaccination of girls, boys, adolescents under 18 years of age and people in a state of pregnancy, so for this population will now not be included in routine vaccination against COVID-19 with the SPUTNIK V vaccine. As data on studies in this group become available, the vaccination recommendations will be updated.
- People living with immunosuppression: Immunosuppression is not an absolute contraindication, since the SPUTNIK V vaccine does not contain replicating viruses, being a potentially safe vaccine, however, the immune response to vaccination could be different from that presented by people immunocompetent, so they could be vaccinated if they do not have the conditions described above.
Sinovac
- Vaccines are contraindicated in people who have recently had Covid-19 and have not yet completed the recovery phase.
- Patients who have received convalescent plasma treatment to recover from Covid-19 must wait at least 90 days to get the vaccine.
- People with a mild allergy can be vaccinated, however, when the allergy is severe (anaphylactic) they could be vaccinated if the allergy is not related to any component of the vaccine.
- The vaccine is not indicated in children under 18 years of age, as no trials have been carried out in this sector of the population.
- Immunosuppression is not an absolute contraindication, since the vaccine does not contain live attenuated viruses, being a potentially safe vaccine.
- Lactating women can be vaccinated and continue breastfeeding after the biologic is applied.
- People with a body temperature greater than 38 degrees Celsius and bleeding disorders cannot be given the vaccine.
- The Covid-19 vaccine should be given after 14 days after another vaccination.
- In the case of people with HIV, those who have the virus under control may apply the anti-Covid vaccine, while those who do not have it under control should consult with their family doctor.
Cansino
- The vaccine is contraindicated in people with a history of severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis type and allergy to any component of the Recombinant Vaccine against the new Coronavirus (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector), from CanSino Biologics.
- The vaccine is contraindicated in people who have recently had COVID-19 and have not yet recovered. Until now, and according to the available scientific evidence, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 should be deferred 90 days in individuals who have received convalescent plasma prior to vaccination. The transfusion of red blood cells (erythrocyte concentrate) does not warrant deferral since it is a deplasmatized blood component.
- People under 18 years of age: Due to the fact that, in the trials of this vaccine, they were not included, there is no information on the vaccination of girls, boys, adolescents under 18 years of age and people in a state of pregnancy, so for now this population will not be included in the routine vaccination against COVID-19 with this type of biological.
- People living with immunosuppression: Immunosuppression is not an absolute contraindication, since the Recombinant Vaccine against the new Coronavirus (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) from CanSino Biologics does not contain replicating viruses, being a potentially safe vaccine, however, the immune response to vaccination could be different from that presented by immunocompetent people, so they could be vaccinated if they do not present the conditions described above.
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
- Absolute contraindications: Vaccines are contraindicated in people with known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or to a vaccine containing components similar to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, people with a history of severe allergy (anaphylactic reaction type), people who have acute illnesses serious (whether infectious or non-infectious) or have an exacerbation of chronic diseases, involving compromise of the general state.
- People under 18 years of age: Because in the trials of this vaccine, they were not included, there is no information on the vaccination of girls, boys and adolescents under 18 years of age, so for now this population will not be included in routine vaccination against COVID-19 with the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. As data on studies in this group become available, the vaccination recommendations will be updated.
Specific situations
- Pregnancy
Based on the findings of the preclinical phases of research, in animal models (Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Studies: DART Studies) and of the monitoring platforms of pregnant and vaccinated women against COVID-19 (V-Safe and VAERS in the USA) , it is considered that the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women outweigh the possible risks – real or theoretical – of vaccination in this population group, so people who are pregnant will be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Lactation
Whereas the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine:
- It does not contain replicating viruses in its composition.
- That the WHO has recommended maintaining breastfeeding even in cases where the mother has an active clinical picture of COVID-19.
- That breastfeeding is essential for the healthy physical and emotional development of infants and for skin-to-skin contact with their mother, for the benefit of the mother-child binomial.
It is emphasized that breastfeeding women can be vaccinated and it is not recommended to suspend breastfeeding either before or after this biological is applied.
- People living with immunosuppression: Immunosuppression is not a contraindication, as the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine does not contain replicating viruses, it is a potentially safe vaccine. However, the immune response to vaccination could be different from that presented by immunocompetent people, so they could be vaccinated if they do not have the conditions for vaccination.