A trip to warm exotic countries is an unforgettable experience, a lot of new information, memories for life. In order for all of the above to be positive, you need to prepare for the journey. In addition to documents, hotel reservations before traveling to certain countries are strongly recommended, and in some cases, yellow fever is required. The vaccine is one of the most effective and non-hazardous. But before taking preventive measures, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications of vaccination against yellow fever. In certain health conditions, vaccination may be refused.
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a hemorrhagic disease caused by arbovirus. The disease is one of the most dangerous pathologies carried by mosquito bites.
After an insect bite, the virus enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, accumulating in the lymph nodes. The causative agent settles in the tissues of the liver, kidneys, heart muscle, brain and bone marrow, affecting blood vessels and causing an inflammatory process. As a result of trophic disturbances and intoxication, parenchyma necrosis occurs, vascular permeability increases, hemorrhage develops.
The clinical picture is characterized by a sequence of phases:
- Hyperemia is accompanied by fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, not accompanied by nausea. With severe intoxication, disorders of nervous activity are observed. The hyperemia phase lasts 3-4 days.
- Short-term remission. Well-being improves, temperature normalizes. With abortive forms, recovery soon ensues; in severe cases, the disease proceeds to the next phase.
- In the phase of venous stasis, pallor, progressive jaundice are observed, hemorrhages (ecchymoses, petechiae) occur.
- Reconvalescence occurs in the event of a favorable course. The clinical picture is gradually improving.
Mortality is about 10%. After healing, a stable immunity is developed.
Who is shown the vaccine
Yellow fever carriers (mosquitoes) are infectious for three weeks at a temperature of +23 ° C, at a temperature below 18 ° C, the virus is not transmitted. Due to such characteristic features of the virus, the disease does not spread in northern countries. In Russia and the countries of the former USSR, it is practically not found, and therefore the vaccine against yellow fever is not included in the National Calendar.
Vaccination is indicated for the following groups:
- People permanently or temporarily residing in yellow fever endemic countries.
- Travelers planning to visit African countries, a number of countries in Central (Republic of Costa Rica) and South America (Peru, Guiana, Bolivia) are required to be vaccinated and provide a certificate.
- People on duty visiting the above countries should also be vaccinated and receive a supporting document.
- Specialists whose work involves contact with blood and vaccines (epidemiologists, laboratory assistants).
If desired, any person who does not have contraindications for vaccination against yellow fever can be vaccinated.
What vaccine is used
The vaccine was developed in 1937 by the virologist M. Teyler. Some countries buy the vaccine in other countries, Russia produces the vaccine on its own.
The yellow fever drug belongs to the living, because it contains a weakened Yellow fever vaccine virus with at least 1000 LD₅₀ or 1600 PFU. Such vaccines are more immunogenic, create a fairly high immunity, which persists for a long time.
According to its characteristics, the yellow fever vaccine is a finely divided tissue of chicken embryos infected with the attenuated strain 17D virus, purified by centrifugation and lyophilized (completely restoring its properties when moistened).
In Russia, vaccines are not mass-produced. You can buy it yourself, but a person with a medical education should be vaccinated against yellow fever. Vaccines of the following manufacturers are available for sale:
- FSUE FNTSIRIP them. M.P. Chumakova. The company is an official supplier of vaccines in Russia.
- Monodose vaccine "Stamaril Pasteur" of the French pharmaceutical company "Pasteur Merrier".
Vaccine description
For immunization, it is better to choose a drug made in Russia. The production and sale of vaccines is under strict control, so you can not be afraid that they inject it is not known what.
The vaccine of the Russian manufacturer includes:
- The virus itself.
- Lactose - 20 mg.
- Sorbitol (glucite) - 10 mg.
- Heterocyclic α-amino acid - 1.2 mg.
- L-alanine - 0.7 mg.
The preparation contains no preservatives or antibiotics. The vaccine is a hydroscopic light pink porous mass. After dissolution, the drug is a yellowish-pink liquid with a pearlescent hue.
Before deciding where to get the yellow fever vaccine, it is necessary to clarify which manufacturer's vaccine is used in this medical institution. If a little-known drug with a dubious reputation is used, it is better to refuse the services of this medical institution.
How is vaccination given?
The procedure can be carried out from 9 months of age. Immunization should be done 10 days before departure to the endemic area. Yellow fever vaccines have pre-reported side effects. They also find out if there are any contraindications, otherwise the vaccination will need to be canceled or postponed.
The procedure is carried out subcutaneously at the outer angle of the scapula or in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. The dosage for all ages is 0.5 ml. The procedure is carried out in full compliance with the rules of antiseptics.
All contents of the ampoule are mixed with solvent. The drug should dissolve completely within 5 minutes. The solution is kept for 15 minutes, after which the ampoule is shaken and the required dose is collected. It is allowed to store the dissolved vaccine for an hour at a temperature of 2-8 degrees, previously having closed with a sterile napkin.
After vaccination, create a registration record, which indicate the name of the drug, dosage, date of administration and response to vaccination.
Yellow fever vaccine contraindications
Anyone can vaccinate. The doctor assesses the state of health and, if there are no factors preventing the immunization, then it can be done on the same day. Contraindications to vaccination against yellow fever are:
- Diseases of an infectious and non-infectious etiology in the acute stage.
- In chronic diseases at the stage of exacerbation no earlier than a month after recovery.
- Allergy to chicken protein or chicken.
- The presence of congenital immunodeficiencies: Duncan syndrome, orotaciduria, Bruton syndrome, late immune start and others.
- Acquired immunodeficiencies: HIV, herpes viruses, measles, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, viral hepatitis and others.
- Pregnancy. The decision to vaccinate women in the position is made by the gynecologist. The answer depends on the degree of a possible threat to the health of the unborn child.
- Children's age up to nine months.
Yellow fever vaccine: side effects
In the vast majority of cases, vaccination goes well. Unpleasant symptoms usually occur due to non-observance of the rules of antiseptics during the procedure or if a drug was introduced that is unsuitable for use.
In some cases, unpleasant consequences of a yellow fever vaccine may occur:
- Swelling at the injection site. Hyperemia, usually occurs within 12-24 hours after the procedure.
- Sealing at the injection site, accompanied by itching, soreness, enlarged regional lymph nodes.
- Within 10 days, the temperature may periodically slightly increase.
- General malaise, weakness.
- Urticaria, rash.
Vaccination rules
Adults and children should be vaccinated against yellow fever 10 days before departure to a “dangerous” place. In order to avoid negative consequences during the procedure, certain rules should be followed:
- 5 days before vaccination, you should refuse to take products that cause allergies.
- After vaccination, you need to be under medical supervision for another half hour.
- In children under the age of fifteen, the interval between vaccination against yellow fever and another infection should be at least two months.
- The injection site can not be wetted for a day.
Where to get vaccinated
Vaccination can be done in any medical institution that has permission to carry out preventive measures by immunization. The medical center or clinic must have the appropriate supporting documents, which they are required to provide upon request.
In Moscow, yellow fever vaccination can be done at the following addresses (a far from complete list of places is provided):
- GKUZ IKB No. 1.
- GBUZ City Polyclinic №5.
Vaccination in St. Petersburg can be carried out at the following addresses:
- FSBI St. Petersburg Multidisciplinary Center of the Ministry of Health of Russia.
- Clinic complex.
More detailed information about places where vaccination is carried out can be found in embassies (missions), travel agencies. They will also indicate what other vaccinations must be done before leaving for a particular country.
The sites of medical institutions also provide information on the possibility of an organization being immunized.
Conclusion
Vaccination against yellow fever is not mandatory. But if for some reason the risk of contracting the virus increases sharply, then vaccination is strongly recommended. It must be remembered that a vaccine is a drug that has both indications and contraindications. Using a suspicious tool or carrying out the procedure in places or by people who are not entitled to it can be dangerous to health and sometimes life.