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Will mandatory vaccination be introduced in Russia?
The topic of vaccination has always been a difficult one for our society. Disputes about whether it is necessary to do preventive vaccinations or whether it is better to refuse them have not subsided for many years. And now this issue has begun to be discussed with renewed vigor. The fact is that in the wake of the pandemic, the working group of the Federation Council on changing legislation in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic developed amendments to the current sanitary and epidemiological rules. In short, their essence is to prohibit at the legislative level the admission of unvaccinated children to kindergartens and schools.
It would seem that the initiative is not bad, but then there were rumors that vaccination in Russia would become mandatory! Naturally, the public was immediately indignant: one thing is well-known vaccinations, at least they know what to expect from them, and quite another is a new vaccine that is being developed in a hurry. Ideally, each new drug should be tested for many months, sometimes years.
However, doctors are reassuring: you should not count on a mass mandatory vaccination campaign. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) also believe that it will be possible to talk about the introduction of possible coronavirus vaccines into the mandatory vaccination schedule for the population later. And this decision will depend on further knowledge about the virus, the general immunity of the population, which will gradually grow.
What law can implement the rules of vaccination?
Amendments to the federal law on immunoprophylaxis are currently being discussed. Also, the Ministry of Health has developed a strategy for the development of immunoprophylaxis until 2025.
What vaccinations are recommended for vaccination
In Russia, there are two categories of vaccinations – mandatory and optional. The former are included in national and regional vaccination schedules and protect against the most severe and deadly infections. It is desirable to do the second, but everyone decides for himself whether to be vaccinated or not.
Now among mandatory vaccinations in the national calendar: vaccination against viral hepatitis B, hemophilic, pneumococcal infections, influenza, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis, mumps (mumps).
Among additional vaccinations, which today anyone can do at their own expense: vaccination against papillomavirus, meningococcal and rotavirus infections, as well as against chicken pox.
However, the Ministry of Health plans to expand the national vaccination schedule and make these vaccinations free for all Russians. Now the state provides such vaccines only to patients from risk groups.
Many people think that vaccinations should only be done in childhood. This is not true. Vaccinations also help adults avoid contracting dangerous viral and bacterial infections. Moreover, many vaccinations made in childhood require repetition in adulthood – these are vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, hepatitis B, rubella and influenza.
By the way! All vaccination records you have ever received must be entered on your medical record or vaccination certificate, which is kept at the clinic.
If you change your place of residence, this data must be transferred to the clinic at the new address. But in reality, this information is simply lost, people do not report the move, they do not take their data from polyclinics. But even if you do not remember whether you were vaccinated or not, you can check this with the help of tests. You just need to check with your doctor beforehand what exactly to take.
When is it necessary to vaccinate?
| Hepatitis B | in the first 24 hours of life followed by a revaccination at 1 month of life, and then at 2 or 6 depending on the vaccine |
| Tuberculosis | 3-7 days of life followed by revaccination at 7,14, 21,28 years. |
| Pneumococcus | 2 months first vaccine, revaccination at 4,5 months, at 15 months |
| Whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus | 3 months, then at 4-5 and at 6 months followed by revaccination at 18 months, 6-7, 14 and 18 years. |
| Hemophilus infection | at 3 months, then at 4-5 and 6 months (terms may vary depending on the vaccine), followed by revaccination at 18 months. |
| Polio | 3 months, then 4-5 months and 6 months followed by a booster at 18 months, 20 months and 14 years |
| Measles, rubella | 12 months followed by revaccination at 6 years. |
| Flu | from 6 months followed by revaccination annually. |
Many childhood vaccinations need to be repeated as adults. For example, vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus should also be done every 10 years. What other injections should be given to adults.
| Adults 18 to 55 years old | vaccination against viral hepatitis B, if not vaccinated |
| Women aged 18 to 25 | rubella vaccination and rubella revaccination if not ill, unvaccinated or received only one vaccination |
| Adults 18 to 35 years old | measles vaccination, revaccination against measles, if not ill, not vaccinated |
| Pregnant women; persons over 60 years of age; people with chronic diseases, students, health workers, social workers, etc. | flu vaccination |
In addition to universal vaccination, there are vaccinations according to epidemic indications. They are put “at the threat of occurrence” of the corresponding diseases. These include a vaccine against coronavirus, against pneumococcal infection, rotavirus infection, chicken pox.
What are the possible complications after vaccination?
After vaccination, either a post-vaccination reaction may occur – slight discomfort and changes in well-being that go away on their own, or complications. Complications after vaccination are fever, allergies, neuritis, impaired sensitivity or convulsions. Lymph nodes may become inflamed, and an ulcer may appear at the injection site.
The main and most important rule: vaccination should be done only when the child or adult is healthy. In our climate, children constantly catch colds, so that parents (and some doctors) do not pay attention to, for example, a slight runny nose. In adults, over the years, a whole “bouquet” of sores appears.
Vaccinations must be approached consciously. If in doubt, postpone vaccination, talk to your doctor about the best time to get vaccinated. Don’t be led by social media and anti-vaxxers, but also remember that vaccination is not a necessity imposed from above. Perhaps, it is in matters of vaccination that a conscious and reasonable approach is most needed.
How do you know if a vaccine is safe?
During the production process, vaccines undergo many tests and strict safety controls. But even the highest quality vaccine can be dangerous if not properly stored and transported. Therefore, before using the drug bottle, it is better to check it with a special thermal indicator – this is a small sticker made of heat-sensitive material that shows whether the vaccine has been exposed to excessive heat. The inner square of the thermal indicator should be lighter than the outer circle. If the inner square is the same color or darker than the outer circle, the vaccine is spoiled.
Can I bring my own vaccine for vaccination?
It is possible, but for this you first need to agree with the clinic. When you have resolved all the paperwork and the nuances of the delivery of the drug, write an application and you will be vaccinated with the vaccine that you buy in advance at the pharmacy.
Be sure to discuss the process of purchasing and transporting the vaccine with the medical institution where you will be vaccinated, even if it is a commercial clinic. Do not suddenly come with an already purchased vaccine and demand that you vaccinate it.
Popular questions and answers
We also addressed a number of questions general practitioner Ekaterina Grekova – about pre-vaccination examinations, possible complications and their treatment by a doctor.
Do I need to undergo any examinations before vaccination?
For what complications of vaccination should I consult a doctor?
Post-vaccination reactions: local – edema, hyperemia, infiltration (most often after DPT) and general – fever to subfebrile numbers, myalgia, anxiety of the child.
Post-vaccination complications develop in the first three days after vaccination – a violation of the general condition, an increase in body temperature above 39,5 ° C, chills, sleep disturbance, vomiting, febrile convulsions, nosebleeds. Local post-vaccination complications are hyperemia and edema, spreading to more than half of the anatomical zone at the site of vaccine administration. Also, post-vaccination complications include allergic reactions, Quincke’s edema, exacerbation of chronic diseases.