Hepatitis B is a serious infectious liver disease in which about 15% of all patients with the disease have a chronic form of the disease. The disease proceeds with multiple complications and can result in oncology and death. Hepatitis B vaccine is the only way to protect yourself against infection. To do this, use various medical immunobiological preparations containing a solution of the immunogenic protein of the hepatitis B virus. Two weeks after vaccination, antibodies are produced in the human body. And after triple administration of the vaccine, a stable immunity is formed. Thus, the effect of hepatitis B vaccine has an effect only after completion of the full course of immunization.
General information about hepatitis B
You can get infected and get this disease at any age. The main source of infection are virus carriers and individuals who have this disease. Among the main ways of infection are:
- vertical - from mother to baby at birth;
- parenteral - various manipulations, including medical ones (injections, blood transfusions, use of one syringe by drug addicts, etc.);
- sexual - unprotected act;
- in close contact in the presence of damaged parts of the body (abrasions, cracks, cuts).
About five milliliters of infected blood is enough to cause infection. The virus has a long incubation period. Moreover, even in dried blood, its cells are able to maintain viability. Symptoms indicating a disease:
- the dermis and sclera become yellow;
- the skin itches;
- disturb pain and a feeling of heaviness in the liver;
- severe intoxication is observed, which is manifested by nausea, vomiting, fatigue and lack of sleep;
- euphoria develops on the part of the nervous system or, on the contrary, irritability, headache, lethargy appear.
These symptoms may bother the individual for several months. It is important to remember that once a virus enters the body, the virus will never leave it, that is, hepatitis B is a chronic pathology. Ineffective therapy provokes the development of serious and dangerous complications. The only way to avoid this disease is through vaccination. Should hepatitis B be vaccinated or not? Of course, the answer is yes. Vaccination is extremely necessary for both the adult population that has not previously been vaccinated and small citizens. According to the laws in force in our country, each person makes a decision on consenting to a vaccine on a voluntary basis. Since 2002, vaccination against this serious pathology is considered mandatory and is included in the national vaccination calendar. According to statistics, the age category of 20 to 50 years is most susceptible to this ailment, and after 55 it is almost impossible to get this virus.
Risk group
At risk for viral hepatitis B infection include:
- Medical workers in laboratories, dental institutions.
- Children born to hepatitis B virus mothers
- Patients who are planning or undergoing transfusion of blood or its components, organ transplantation, diagnostic procedures, operations.
- Citizens taking injectable drugs.
- Persons traveling or residing in regions endemic for hepatitis B.
- Patients with chronic liver disease.
- Persons in close contact with the sick.
- Children permanently residing in boarding schools, orphanages or orphanages.
- Students of higher and secondary medical educational institutions.
- Workers involved in the production of immunobiological preparations from placental and donated blood.
Adult Vaccination
Modern medical immunobiological preparations are obtained using genetic engineering. The pharmaceutical industry produces vaccines that allow you to form a stable immunity to the disease and have a high degree of safety.
Dosage is selected individually depending on age. In addition, there are combination drugs. You can get a hepatitis B vaccine for adults up to 55 years old, provided that the individual did not have hepatitis B and was not vaccinated in infancy. There are several known schemes for the introduction of an immunobiological preparation, but in all cases, the vaccine is administered repeatedly:
- Emergency. It is used when it is necessary to quickly develop immunity, for example, before surgery. The second injection is done seven days after the first, after 21 - the third, after 12 months - the fourth.
- Fast. Use at increased risk of infection. After a month, the second vaccine is given, after two - the third, after 12 - the fourth.
- Standard. It is recognized as the most effective and makes it possible to produce antibodies gradually. The second dose of the vaccine is administered after a month, the third - after six months.
The latter scheme is considered the main one. Moreover, after the first injection of the drug, immunity begins to form, which after the third vaccination reaches one hundred percent. It is important to conduct a full course, since only in this case complete protection against a dangerous virus is achieved.
Contraindications in adults
Hepatitis B vaccine is not recommended for the following conditions in an individual:
- epilepsy;
- hydrocephalus;
- acute illness;
- severe allergic reaction after the first dose of the vaccine;
- individual intolerance to yeast;
- primary immunodeficiency;
- multiple sclerosis;
- systemic diseases;
- diagnosed hepatitis B;
- exacerbation of chronic pathology;
- persons over 55 years old;
- temperature
- pregnant and lactating women.
Thus, some contraindications are temporary.
Feasible side effects
After hepatitis B vaccination in adult individuals, a small swelling and redness of the dermis develops at the injection site, which goes away without treatment. In addition, the following undesirable reactions may appear:
- Temperature and headache appear with the introduction of a low-quality vaccine.
- Increased sweating indicates the process of rejection of the antigen by the body. The formation of immunity begins.
- Allergic manifestations are relieved by tabletted antihistamines, for example, Suprastin, Loratadin.
- Quite rarely, a digestive tract disorder occurs, which is associated with individual intolerance and is manifested by small diarrhea, nausea.
- Muscle pain occurs in isolated cases and quickly disappears.
Do not be afraid of the body's response, all of the above signs signal the formation of an immune response. How long does hepatitis B vaccine work? Basically, immunity remains forever. According to WHO, active immunity persists for eight years. You can check the level of antibodies, if necessary, every five years, having received a referral from your doctor. When they are reduced, in some cases, booster vaccination is indicated, which is important for people at risk.
Vaccination of children
The very first contact with blood occurs during delivery. If the mother of the unborn baby is a carrier of the virus, then the risk of infection is 95 percent. There is a risk of infection during testing, in playgrounds where used syringes may be lying. And also in the presence of scratches, cuts or other lesions of the dermis. It must be remembered that a prosperous family is not a guarantee that the child will not become infected. To prevent the risk of infection, doctors recommend a hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital. The scheme in this case will be as follows. The first injection is done 12 hours after the baby is born. A month later - the second, and the final - six months after the first. In some cases, the schedule may be disrupted. This is mainly due to the illness of the baby. The most important thing is to maintain an acceptable interval. All the details of the introduction of an immunobiological preparation to a specific baby will be told by the attending doctor. There is another hepatitis B vaccine regimen for newborns. It is used if:
- baby's mother is infected with a virus;
- the baby received blood transfusions;
- an operation was performed on the baby;
- parenteral manipulations were performed.
In these cases, the vaccine is administered four times. The second - in a month, the third - in two, the fourth - in twelve. After immunization in children, a stable immunity is formed.
Contraindications to hepatitis B vaccination in both cases are:
- an allergic reaction in the baby's mother to yeast;
- transferred meningitis (in this case, vaccination is possible six months after recovery);
- symptoms of primary immunodeficiency;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- exacerbation of infectious diseases;
- strong response to previous vaccine administration;
- the mass of the baby is less than two kilograms.
Side effect. Complications Reviews
Side effects from hepatitis B vaccination in children are manifested by slight reddening and thickening at the injection site. A small allergic reaction occurs after taking an antihistamine. Some babies have a fever that is successfully removed by Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. On the day of vaccination, the baby sleeps longer, is slightly weakened, and may be capricious. All symptoms disappear without a trace in a couple of days. The consequences of the introduction of an immunobiological preparation are extremely rare. According to statistics, this is one case per hundred thousand. Fixed complications in the form of:
- exacerbation of allergic reactions;
- anaphylactic shock;
- rash
- urticaria;
- erythema nodosum.
Currently, the production of vaccines is being improved and the number of preservatives included in its composition is minimized, which can significantly reduce the development of adverse reactions.
The myths that the hepatitis B vaccine in newborns causes neurological disorders, leads to autoimmune pathologies or contributes to sudden death are not officially confirmed by studies conducted by the World Health Organization. In addition, it is impossible to get infected from the vaccine, since it contains only part of the outer shell of a dangerous virus and its action is aimed at the formation of stable immunity.
Why is the baby vaccinated against hepatitis B? The reviews and opinions of medical professionals boil down to the following:
- Undesirable reactions to the introduction of the vaccine are rare, since the immunobiological preparation is constantly being improved.
- All babies born should be vaccinated.
- Early vaccination is the best prevention of infection with this serious ailment.
- A properly vaccinated child retains immunity for life.
- Vaccination must be done. She really protects the baby from a dangerous disease.
Parents' comments on hepatitis B vaccine are subjective and are based on their attitude towards vaccination as a whole.
Modern technologies
High-quality medical immunobiological preparations are obtained from the genome of the hepatitis B virus, that is, they take the necessary gene from it and, using molecular biology, integrate it into the genotype of the yeast cell, which subsequently produces its own and foreign proteins. Having received a sufficient number of specific viral proteins, the nutrient medium is removed and the proteins are purified from impurities. Further, they are applied to aluminum hydroxide. Due to the fact that this substance is not soluble in water, it gradually releases a viral protein, contributing to the formation of immunity. A small amount is added to the vaccine and a preservative. Thus, thanks to the latest technologies, immunobiological preparations are created that are safe and allow you to create a stable immunity after their introduction.
Angerix B (recombinant hepatitis B vaccine)
Hepatitis B vaccination is given to all populations that have not been vaccinated before. Hepatitis Vaccine This vaccine is indicated for the specific prevention of the disease in adults, adolescents and children.
Contraindications include allergic body responses to the components that make up the vaccine. Negative effects are negligible. Children under 16 years of age are given 0.5 milliliters, and adults - 1 milliliter. The vaccination schedule is determined by the doctor.
Bubo Kok
Combined immunobiological preparation. Its introduction in accordance with the approved scheme forms an immunity against hepatitis B and three other serious diseases. The vaccine is indicated for use in children under four years of age. Of the unwanted reactions, it is possible:
- during the first two days, weakness and fever;
- slight swelling and redness at the injection site.
How many times is hepatitis B vaccinated? Babies who have not been vaccinated before the age of three months against hepatitis B are given three injections at 3, 4.5 and 6 months. Intervals must be clearly maintained. All the features of its introduction will tell the attending doctor.
Bubo-M
This vaccine is designed to prevent hepatitis B in children after six years. Side effects are rare. Contraindications are similar to previous drugs. The exception is that Bubo-M vaccination is allowed during pregnancy and immunodeficiency. An immunobiological preparation is used for:
- hepatitis B vaccinations in children over the age of six who have not been previously vaccinated;
- revaccination.
Infanrix Hexa
This vaccine is undesirable to do with others. It is used in children under three years of age according to the standard administration schedule. Of the side effects, the following are distinguished:
- short-term loss of consciousness;
- poor appetite;
- drowsiness;
- temperature rise;
- swelling
- anaphylactic shock;
- children under two years of age can develop serious complications.
Contraindications include a disorder of the nervous system, blood diseases, acute respiratory viral infections, a strong reaction after the first injection, and individual sensitivity to the components of the vaccine.
"Shanvak-V"
The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor. The vaccine is compatible with other vaccinations and creates a stable specific immune response against hepatitis B. Administration is contraindicated in the presence of viral or acute respiratory diseases and individual intolerance to some components of the drug. The reaction to hepatitis B vaccine is manifested by fever, increased liver function, rashes on the dermis, fatigue and headache. In rare cases, anaphylactic shock may develop.
Failure to comply with the vaccination schedule
If an individual has started immunization and for some reason has not completed it, then there is no need to talk about protection against hepatitis. The vaccination schedule is recommended. It is allowed to lengthen the interval between administration of the drug, and shortening it leads to the formation of defective or unstable immunity, especially in children.
Hepatitis B vaccine will bring the expected result when conducting a full course of vaccination. In Russia, standards have been adopted that make it possible to carry out the full scheme again. If an adult has passed more than five after the first injection, and a child has more than three months, then the scheme starts again. If you follow international standards, it is allowed to carry out a second vaccine at any time, and the third - a month after it.