The most dangerous disease of young boys and girls is pneumonia. And pneumonia is considered the main cause of death among babies. According to statistics, this pathology annually takes the lives of more than 1 million children under the age of five. Today we find out what parents need to do in order to protect their daughter or son from such a misfortune. What pneumonia vaccine is effective, are there any drugs that can prevent the onset of this disease? We also find out the reviews of parents and doctors about vaccinating babies with pneumonia vaccines.
Danger of disease
Pneumococcal infection is caused by a special bacterium called pneumococcus. Among the ailments that occur after the body is damaged by this infection are pneumonia, acute otitis media, arthritis, purulent meningitis, pleurisy. All these diseases are dangerous to the health and even the life of the child, threatening him with complications and irreversible consequences in the future. This bacterium makes itself felt, usually after other past illnesses, such as flu, measles, otitis media and even the common cold. Prevention in this case is one - timely vaccination against pneumonia in children.
Operating principle
The disease is caused by pneumococci entering the human body. These are bacteria, of which there are currently about a hundred species. They are not amenable to the usual treatment with antibacterial agents, and this, in turn, complicates the situation. Therefore, vaccination against pneumonia is the most effective way to prevent the development of the disease. The medication, which is used to instill children, contains substances that can neutralize several types of pneumococci at once. Often these are 5 types of bacteria, but there is a vaccine, the effect of which extends to 10 different pathogens.
Types of vaccinations
Today, 3 types of drugs are used to vaccinate children from pneumonia:
- Powder for injection "ACT-Hib."
- Suspension for intramuscular administration of Prevenar.
- Solution for injection "Pneumo 23".
The principle of operation is almost the same, but some differences are still observed.
The drug "Prevenar"
This suspension is the most common of the three vaccines listed above. It is done to children, starting from 3 months of life (sometimes even from 2 months). The risk of contracting pneumococcal infection is very high in crumbs precisely under the age of 2 years. Therefore, the advantage of the Prevenar vaccine is understandable and logical. This vaccine is given in the following terms:
- the first - in 3 months;
- the second - in 4.5 months;
- the third - in 6 months;
- the fourth (revaccination) - in a year and a half.
Such a vaccine against pneumonia, by the way, can be combined effectively and safely with other injections. The only exception is BCG (tuberculosis vaccine). If doctors observe all the terms of vaccinating the baby, then this allows the children to form excellent immunity at the age of up to 2 years, when the streptococcus bacterium is most dangerous and active.
Even if a pneumonia vaccine is given to children, this does not mean that the child will not be able to get this disease. But if he finds himself infected, then the infection will be easy, without serious consequences for his health. Therefore, parents should not refuse to instill their baby with this drug. Moreover, it practically does not cause negative reactions.
Solution for injections "Pneumo 23"
This vaccine differs from the previous one in that it is administered to the child after 2 years. This is its main drawback. It is also effective for adults. And this is its advantage.
- It is carried out once, and not the whole course.
- The immunity lasts for 5 years.
- Convenience of packaging. The drug is placed in disposable syringes with a single dose of the vaccine. For a person of any age, the dose is one - 0.5 ml.
- It is this vaccine that most European countries have registered, which proves its effectiveness.
- The drug "Pneumo 23" is well compatible with other vaccines, in addition to the drug for tuberculosis.
- Even if a person has suffered a disease that is being prevented, this vaccine after pneumonia does not serve as a contraindication to use. That is, it can be done even to those people who have been ill with this ailment, so as not to get infected again.
And the restrictions on the use of this tool are:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, allergic reactions.
- Some types of diseases (e.g. hypertension).
Powder for injection "ACT-Hib"
This vaccine is suitable for children whose age has already reached 3 months.
The drug allows you to develop immunity not only to the disease to which the article is devoted. This is a vaccine against meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, inflammation of the epiglottis, various types of arthritis. And this is its advantage.
The vaccination schedule for this agent is as follows:
- Under the age of 6 months: 3 injections are carried out with an interval of 1-2 months, with the introduction of a booster dose 1 year after the third vaccination.
- Children from 6 to 12 months are given 2 injections with an interval of 30 days, with the introduction of an additional dose at the age of 18 months.
- Babies from 1 to 5 years are given a single injection.
Opinions on the drug "Prevenar"
This vaccine against pneumonia in children, reviews of which are very numerous, causes a lot of controversy and doubt. Some parents are sure that this is a completely safe vaccine, which is simply necessary for babies. Other mothers and fathers are not sure of its effectiveness. In addition, some believe that this drug, after applying it to infants, is the cause of the development of side effects and even mortality.
This vaccine against pneumonia also received different reviews from doctors. Some doctors attribute the positive results of vaccination, while others focus on some facts. For example, the fact that the Prevenar product does not include serotypes 1 and 5, which cause pneumococcal infections. Doctors also doubt about this drug, because in some countries, for example, in the Netherlands, this vaccine is temporarily prohibited.
The cost of Prevenar is about 2.5 thousand rubles.
Opinions about the drug "Pneumo 23"
This pneumonia vaccine for children receives mostly positive reviews. And this is not surprising: the drug "Pneumo 23" is the very first drug invented by French physicians, and at the same time the most popular one. After all, this vaccine is used in most European countries, and that means a lot: it is really effective and safe. Parents note the fact that vaccination is not very painful for babies, and the risk of complications is minimal. In addition, such a vaccine is cheaper than its counterpart, Prevenar. On average, a Pneumo 23 drug will cost parents 1.8 thousand rubles, which is 700 rubles cheaper.
However, doctors are controversial about this vaccine. Some say that it is the safest of all. Others note the inappropriateness of its implementation, they say, it is possible to prescribe this tool to children only from 2 years old, it is impossible before. And since the peak of the risk of contracting pneumonia occurs at the age of up to 24 months, from this point of view, the tool is not suitable. Therefore, some doctors advise parents to pay attention to other drugs.
ACT-Hib vaccine reviews
Reviews of parents about this tool are different. Someone is really enthusiastic about him, but there are many mothers and fathers who write that this pneumonia vaccine causes undesirable reactions. Among these side effects: redness, soreness at the injection site, fever, drowsiness, irritability of the child. Those parents who respond positively to the vaccine note the fact that they themselves are now calm for their children, since the ACT-Hib drug protects not only from pneumonia, but also from other dangerous diseases, such as meningitis, sepsis and others .
The cost of a bottle of this drug containing 1 dose of vaccine is an average of 400 rubles.
Now you know that a pneumonia vaccine is the only way to protect yourself and your child from this dangerous ailment. Currently, there are 3 types of drugs with which vaccination of children and adults is carried out. And these are AKT-Hib, Prevenar, and Pnevmo 23 means. Most of all, judging by the reviews, people trust the latest drug - “Pneumo 23”, since it is used in most European countries. Although there are also many positive reviews about the other two vaccines. Therefore, it is difficult to make a choice, however, after consulting a doctor, parents will undoubtedly acquire the drug that will protect their baby, and themselves from such a serious illness as pneumonia.