Contents
Despite the existence of a mass of conflicting opinions, vaccination is still a reliable way to avoid many serious diseases. As a result of vaccinations, a child develops stable immunity against a number of serious infections.
In modern times, when many viruses and pathogens have mutated so that a blurred clinical picture does not allow a correct diagnosis to be made in time, precious time for treatment can be lost. As a result, a serious threat is created not only to the health, but also to the life of the child. Therefore, the problems of vaccination and the need for its planned implementation again became particularly acute.
Vaccination and drops from polio: guarding the health of children
One of the serious diseases that are difficult and give a lot of complications is poliomyelitis. When ingested, its virus infects the spinal cord. As a result of the fact that the key links of the central nervous system are involved in the inflammatory process, the development of paralysis can become the result of the disease or its consequences. Its manifestations sometimes do not go to the end, leaving a person disabled for the rest of his life. There may be even more terrible consequences: if the respiratory system is affected by the virus, this entails inevitable death.
In order to become infected with the disease, contact with a carrier of the virus is enough. The pathogen can be transmitted through touch or airborne droplets. The disease is highly contagious. Small children are especially susceptible to it, mainly under the age of 7 years. Therefore, the best way to protect the child from a dangerous infection in this case, of course, is vaccination.
Active opponents of vaccination claim that almost all modern countries have abandoned it, but all this is prejudice. Vaccinations against poliomyelitis have been developed and have been actively used in world pediatrics since the middle of the last century, and the statistical and scientific studies carried out confirm their effectiveness: with an increase in the number of vaccinated children, the spread of the disease almost stops.
Among the most problematic regions from this point of view are Asian countries with a low standard of living and quality of medicine. It is people from these states that make up the main percentage of labor migrants in modern Russia. So the virus can get into the habitat of Russian children. And their parents at this time argue that vaccination is the last century, and therefore the kids not only do not need it, but should be completely protected due to the large number of serious complications. As a result, there is a huge danger that threatens the life and health of the smallest and most vulnerable Russian citizens.
Features and stages of vaccination
The polio vaccination schedule has been approved in accordance with the national vaccination schedule that is in force in Russia. According to its content, these terms are defined as 3, 4.5 and 6 months. After that, at the age of 1,5 years (18 months), the first revaccination is prescribed, and at 20 months – the second revaccination of the vaccine. At the age of 14, the third revaccination is carried out.
Types of vaccines:
DPT. Makes Russia, Biomed.
Infanrix. Belgium.
Pentaxim. France.
Tetracoccus. France. Prevention of whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis. Classic DTP vaccine
Bubo-M. Russia. Diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis B vaccine.
Imovax. France. Prevention of diphtheria and tetanus.
ADS-toxoid. Russia. Prevention of diphtheria and stagnation, if the pertussis component cannot be administered to the child.
Imovax Polio. France. Inactivated polio vaccine.
Oral polio vaccine 1, 2, 3 types. Live vaccine! Contains weakened viruses. Attention! After such a vaccine, a vaccinated child should not come into contact with an unvaccinated one, infection is possible within 2 weeks, since the vaccine is live.
In accordance with the characteristics of the drug used, inactivated and oral live vaccines are used. They differ both in the composition of the components and the form of administration:
Among the elements of an inactivated non-live vaccine, in accordance with its name, are killed pathogens. This drug is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. With its use, the formation of general immunity to infection is guaranteed, however, according to the researchers, it will be less strong than with the introduction of a live vaccine.
The latter, in turn, contains weakened polio viruses. They are administered as a solution orally. After the drug enters the intestine, local immunity is formed, which is a reliable defense against the disease.
Babies up to a year drops are injected into the root of the tongue. This is due to the fact that it is in this part that the lymphoid follicles are located. For older children, drops are applied to the surface of the palatine tonsil, from which the reaction begins and an immune response to the administration of the drug is formed. In addition, there are no or minimal accumulation of receptors in the selected areas, respectively, it is unlikely that the child will quickly taste the unpleasant taste and spit out the drug or, conversely, swallow it too early.
The vaccine is instilled using a special plastic dropper or using a syringe without a needle. Depending on the dosage of the main component in the solution, 2 or 4 drops are introduced. With a single regurgitation, the drug is given again, if a similar reaction is repeated, the vaccination is repeated after a month and a half.
The mechanism of action is quite simple and well understood. As a result of the introduction of the vaccine, a special type of antibody is formed that reacts to a weakened virus. In the event that a real, “wild” virus enters the body, previously produced antibodies will prevent the development of diseases, destroying pathogens even before they begin their harmful activity.
The main disadvantage the use of this form of vaccine is a number of existing restrictions: in particular, within one hour after vaccination, you can neither eat nor drink. If during the same period the child vomited, repeated administration is necessary. This type of vaccine, in addition, has another useful quality – with their help, the body produces the development of individual substances that have protective functions. As a result, barriers are formed in an indirect form against certain viral infections of the intestine.
In accordance with the fact that the timing of vaccination against polio initially coincides with the time of another important vaccination – DPT, which prevents the development of whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, both directions are combined. Depending on which vaccine is being used for DTP, there may be no need for another shot or an additional oral dose of the drug. Currently, two vaccines have been developed and are being used that allow you to combine both vaccinations in one injection – these are Pentaxim and Tetrakok. The first drug is a complex vaccine that can prevent infection not only with tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, but also with poliomyelitis, as well as hemophilic infection. The second combines the DTP vaccine and against polio. When using any other drug at the same time as DTP vaccination, a second injection is given or polio drops are given.
Among the contraindications for vaccination are the following grounds:
the occurrence of neurological disorders during the previous vaccination;
identification of primary immunodeficiency states;
the presence of malignant neoplasms;
exacerbation of chronic diseases;
the child undergoing immunosuppressive therapy (vaccination is also prohibited for six months after its completion);
acute respiratory or other diseases at the time of the proposed vaccination.
The pediatrician must be warned of any possible contraindication. The decision to confirm or cancel the vaccination is made individually in each case. Children under one year old should not have contraindications from narrow specialists, primarily a neurologist. The slightest indisposition, especially the exacerbation of chronic diseases, should be a reason for a medical challenge.
Reaction to the polio vaccine
The response to the polio vaccine can vary depending on the health of the child and the drug used. In the case of an inactivated, non-live vaccine, there are usually no complications. Most of all, parents are afraid of the possible consequences of using the so-called “live” vaccine.
Among the normal side effects of its use, the following may occur:
minor bowel disorders that last for one to a maximum of two days, and go away on their own;
mild allergic reactions.
Among the rare complications, the probability of which is minimal, but nevertheless exists, is the development of the disease against which the child was originally vaccinated. Pediatricians call seriously weakened immunity one of the main reasons for this phenomenon. If the disease develops as a result of the intake of weakened pathogens as part of the vaccination, it is called vaccine-associated poliomyelitis (or, for short, VAP).
The main means to exclude such a possibility absolutely is a preliminary check of the child’s immune status, which will reveal contraindications, if any. In the event of any violation of immunity, it is worth temporarily abandoning the use of live vaccines in general. The same is recommended if there are problems of the gastrointestinal tract. With an unbalanced microflora of a weakened intestine, any of the introduced pathogens can give a picture opposite to the expected result.
Among the possible side effects that do not require emergency medical attention, there are also: increased excitability and nervousness, fever up to 38 – 38,5 ° C, pain and swelling at the injection site, nausea, single vomiting.
However, immediate hospitalization and urgent medical attention is necessary if the following symptoms appear:
manifestations of adynamia and unusual lethargy;
sudden difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
the appearance of seizures;
the occurrence of urticaria, severe itching;
severe swelling, including the face and eyes;
temperature rise above 39°C.
If there are no serious consequences after vaccination, neither walking, nor even bathing the child, is contraindicated.
Temperature after polio vaccination
The temperature after vaccination against polio may not rise at all or vary within different limits. According to doctors, you should not worry when the temperature rises to 38-38,5 ° C, if it is not accompanied by additional strong reactions.
Hyperthermia can occur both within a few hours after vaccination, and two to three days after the drug enters the body. This body temperature can persist for two to three days. In some cases, it lasts up to two weeks. If the temperature increase is not accompanied by other types of reactions and does not bother the baby, it is not worth lowering it additionally. However, the use of antipyretics is possible.
Consequences of polio vaccination
The consequences of vaccination against polio, despite the presence of risks of complications, are not as terrible as the possible results of the disease itself for a child who has not been vaccinated. In this case, parents should remember that risks are inherent in any sphere of human life to a certain extent, and it is absolutely impossible to insure against them. But the danger to which a child is exposed, not vaccinated against the most dangerous infections, is a hundred times greater than all possible fears of severe allergic reactions or mythical rumors about frequent cases of VAP. It is worth remembering that according to statistics, vaccine-associated poliomyelitis develops in one case in three million vaccinations. It is easy to calculate how small this probability is. Whereas the possibility of remaining disabled or even dying if the virus enters the body, on the contrary, is very high.
It is also worth knowing that for a certain time, children vaccinated with a live vaccine can be carriers of the disease. In this case, contact with them is completely safe for healthy and vaccinated children and adults. In the presence of immunodeficiency in those who did not receive an inactivated vaccine, such an interaction may threaten the development of VAP. Such children or adults during universal oral vaccination need temporary quarantine
So, any possible complications, in accordance with their rarity and the fact that they are all explained by a state of health, a weakened immune system, in no way outweigh in terms of risk those terrible consequences of polio that occur if the virus infects the body of an unvaccinated child.