The vaccine manufacturer MMR (the Swiss company Merck Sharp and Dome Idea) presents its pharmaceutical product as an effective means of preventing several serious and widespread diseases: mumps, measles, rubella. All these pathologies are among the most dangerous, quickly spread among people without immunity. With a high degree of probability, illnesses can provoke obtaining the status of a disabled person or even cause death. This is observed in low developed countries, where the population does not undergo the necessary immunization. Consider the features of these diseases and the rules for using the vaccine.
Basic information
In order to determine the significance of the MMR vaccine (2 doses), studies were conducted involving 3,104 people. Vaccination using a single dose prevented the manifestation of measles in preschool children. The effectiveness level was rated at 95%. In adolescence, one injection of the drug prevented 98% of cases. To record these results, laboratory studies were carried out that made it possible to confirm measles infection. For re-infection, a single vaccine administration helps to reduce the risk by 92%, double - by 95%.
Studies on the prevention of measles, rubella and mumps have shown that a single injection of the drug in question prevents a mumps with a probability of 69-81%. For the study involved 1,656 people. Studies have been conducted regarding cases where mumps has been confirmed by laboratory tests. Participated in childhood, adolescents.
The effectiveness of the administration varies between 64-66% for a single dose and reaches 88% when using two doses. Protection against reinfection is estimated at 73%.
Performance Features
Given that the shelf life of the MMR vaccine is three years, the duration of the effect of the injection given, if correctly administered in accordance with the immunization schedule, is 11 years, and the likelihood of side effects is only a few weeks after application of the composition, it seems that vaccination is a reasonable way to prevent dangerous diseases. Some believe that the use of such a pharmaceutical product is unreasonable and unjustified, because centuries ago people did not have any vaccines. Parents responsible for their children must make an informed decision, not only remembering the possible risks and side effects, but also the consequences of infection, which is likely to a high degree if you refuse the injection.
As you can see from the description of the MMR vaccine, this drug is designed to eliminate diseases that are deadly to humans. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of infection, and this occurs due to a natural reaction. After receiving the drug, the human body adapts to the pathological agent and forms a reaction of protection against it. To understand how this happens, you need to imagine the nuances of the immunity. Consider them in general terms.
Natural protection
When the human body is attacked by viruses penetrating inside, the disease begins. Immunity has red blood cells, white blood cells that can eliminate infection. The latter are divided into macrophages and cells of types T, B. Macrophages can absorb pathological microorganisms. They determine antigens, due to which, when penetrated, the hazard is identified as quickly as possible. Antibodies enter the fight against antigens. Type B leukocytes are responsible for their production. The type of T cells is responsible for the attack of the cells of the body affected by the infection.
At the initial meeting with dangerous microflora, it takes several days to form effective tools that will help cope with infection. After a successful victory, the body retains at the cellular level the memory of what happened, and in the future, protection from the disease requires less effort. In the human body there are T-lymphocytes responsible for memory. With repeated invasion, they are the first to begin the fight against infection. As soon as antigens are identified, antibodies begin to be generated to neutralize them.
For the price of the MMR vaccine (about 500 rubles), you can acquire a unique ability of the body to defend itself against deadly diseases. The introduction of the drug simulates infection, while the disease itself does not occur, only immunity is activated and antibodies are produced. After receiving the drug in humans, the temperature may rise slightly, there are other minor symptoms that signal the formation of immunity.
Situation development
The MMR vaccine presented in Russia allows the recipient to be ill with an imaginary infection. As a result, the body receives a supply of cells responsible for the recognition of dangerous life forms. They already know how to quickly deal with the virus when they meet again. It takes several weeks to develop all the necessary cells. If a person comes into contact with the carrier of the infection shortly before receiving the drug or shortly after this procedure, there is a high probability of getting sick in a serious form.
Risks and their absence
The opinion that natural, naturally-acquired immunity is better has begun to spread actively in society in the past few years. When making the final decision, one should take into account severe complications that may cause mumps, measles, rubella. Cases of fatal outcomes are not uncommon. Of course, vaccination can cause side effects, but they are easily tolerated by most patients. The likelihood of developing serious complications is much lower than in the case of a natural manifestation of the disease.
Vaccination: technical information
In the documentation that accompanies the drug, the manufacturer describes in detail the composition of the MMR vaccine. In the manufacture of this pharmaceutical product, live forms of measles, mumps and rubella were used. The product is presented as a lyophilisate for dilution with a solvent. Immediately after mixing, the drug should be administered under the skin of the patient under sterile conditions. One ampoule contains a volume of the drug sufficient for a single administration. Normally, the powder in the ampoule has a light yellowish tint. Each ampoule contains a thousand units of measles virus, the same amount of rubella, five times the size of mumps. As additional ingredients used neomycin, sucrose, cow serum. The manufacturer used sodium compounds, gelatin and sorbitol. In the composition there is human albumin. Preservative additives are not provided.
Studies have shown enhanced immunogenic qualities of the pharmaceutical product. One-time use makes it possible to achieve the formation of measles antibodies among susceptible persons in 95%, for mumps the rate is one percent higher, for rubella the probability is estimated at 99%. The immunity obtained with a single injection of the drug lasts for 11 years and even for a longer period. The introduction of women in the reproductive period, in the absence of protection against rubella, can prevent the occurrence of this disease during gestation. Therefore, the risk of infection of the fetus and the formation of deviations against this background is reduced.
Terms of use
According to the instructions for use with the MMR vaccine, the drug must be used in accordance with the immunization schedule. It is indicated for the simultaneous administration of vaccines to children under one year of age, as well as to persons over. It is necessary to use the product if there is a chance of human infection with mumps, measles, rubella. The drug is shown to be unimmunized and not previously transferred in its natural form to rubella if the child is older than a year, as well as in case of pregnancy with increased susceptibility of the virus. If there is no immunity against rubella, the vaccine is recommended to be administered to all women of reproductive age. For some people, the likelihood of infection is rated as particularly high. This includes students in educational institutions and military personnel working in the field of health. Such people are advised to receive regular vaccinations.
To prevent mumps (mumps), measles and rubella, it is necessary to administer a preparation developed for vaccination under the skin. Optimal area: upper shoulder area. Single volume: 0.5 ml. Equal dosages are indicated for patients of any age group.
If the medication is administered to a child whose age is less than 15 months, there is a likelihood of a lack of response to measles virus. This is due to the presence of antibodies obtained from the mother's body. Seroconversion is less likely if the baby is smaller. If the child was injected with the drug for up to one year, a repeat procedure is necessary at 15 months. Sometimes the need to use the medication arises in geographically remote, isolated territories, in limited populations, access to which is difficult. There is a likelihood of increased risks of infection in certain social groups. In any of these situations, it is allowed to administer a medication earlier than the due date with a subsequent repeat of the event.
The nuances of safe use
MMR vaccine should only be administered at a medical facility licensed for this type of activity. A sterile syringe is used to dissolve the powder and introduce the prepared drug into the human body. Do not use products with traces of antiseptics, detergents or preservative additives that can neutralize the active components of the drug. As a solvent, you can use only the liquid that the manufacturer supplies complete with the medicine. It is specially purified water prepared for injection. There are no additional compounds or substances that can kill viruses.
Before use, the pharmaceutical product is carefully examined visually so that there are no suspended elements or areas with a changed color. The fluid should be clear with a slight yellowish tint. When introducing a vaccine to prevent mumps (mumps), measles, rubella, you need to use only individual needles and syringes. All such items are applied only once. Aseptic conditions must be strictly observed. Only use product stored in the correct conditions. It is important to follow the rules of dilution and subsequent use of the drug.
Step by step
First, the solvent is filled into a sterile syringe and the liquid is poured into the MMR vaccine vial, then the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The resulting solution is collected in a syringe and completely injected under the patient’s skin in one procedure.
Neither the powder nor the liquid for its dissolution include preservative components, therefore, it is very important to minimize the likelihood of contamination of the pharmaceutical product. When using the drug, special attention is paid to aspects of ensuring its sterility. The vaccine must be administered immediately, as soon as the product is prepared.
Possible consequences
Of course, many are interested in what side effects the MMR vaccine can cause. The manufacturer notes that they do not differ from the reactions triggered by monovalent formulations combined with pharmaceutical solutions. It is noted that most often the drug initiates discomfort in the injection area. The patient noted that at the injection site there is a burning sensation of pain, but soon everything goes away. In rare cases, the area becomes denser, erythema forms, and skin integuments become especially sensitive. A small number of vaccine recipients had skin rashes. More often they are insignificant, are formed 5-12 days after the administration of the drug, there is a risk of a generalized phenomenon.
As can be seen from the reviews, the MMR vaccine provoked mumps in some, others vomited and vomited, and there was a possibility of loose stools. Receiving an injection is accompanied by a risk of thrombocytopenia and purpura, lymphadenopathy. An allergic response of the body is possible in the form of blisters on the skin, redness in the area of administration. There is a possibility of anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, as well as urticaria and bronchial spasm. The use of the composition is associated with the risk of arthritis, arthralgia, myalgia.
Features of the phenomena
It is noted that the MMR vaccine in children very rarely leads to a reaction from the joint system. Such consequences are atypical, and if they form, they will soon disappear. The higher the risk of such negative consequences in women. For women, the probability of this reaches 20%, while for children it does not exceed 3%. Joint female syndromes sometimes develop according to a difficult scenario and last a long period, months and years of concern. Among female adolescents, the danger of such an organism reaction is greater than in children, but less than in adults. In people over 40, the vaccine is often well tolerated, does not provoke joint reactions, or they practically do not affect a person’s life.
With a probability of one in three million, the use of the drug is accompanied by encephalopathy, encephalitis. None of the cases observed in medicine has a clear evidence-based relationship with the introduction of the drug. The likelihood of severe neurological problems while receiving measles vaccine is currently estimated to be much less than with a natural disease, when on average every 2,000 patients have severe consequences.
Is it possible or not?
You can not enter the MMR vaccine if previously neomycin provoked an anaphylactic reaction in humans. The drug is not used for active tuberculosis, if a person does not receive treatment, for acute infection and febrile syndrome. You can not use the tool in case of diseases of the respiratory system, fever, with malignant pathologies of the blood, lymphatic system, diseases that disrupt the bone marrow. It is forbidden to administer the drug for immunodeficiency (primary, secondary), a violation of the immune system at the cellular level, a lack of gamma globulins or the absence of such structures.
Vaccination is not carried out during pregnancy and with immunodeficiency in the hereditary form, until a person's immune status is revealed. Injections are contraindicated in persons receiving medications that suppress immunity. An exceptional case is substitution treatment, in which corticosteroids are prescribed to the patient. It is forbidden to use the composition if a high level of susceptibility of any substance that is part of the drug is detected.
Is it worth using?
As you can conclude from those dedicated to the prevention of mumps, rubella, measles vaccination reviews, many modern parents decide in favor of such a drug. It is noted that after receiving the medicine, children are ill for some time, but the symptoms are relatively well tolerated. Many admitted that the baby was in a fever, broken stools, and appetite worsened. Some are worried because soon after receiving the remedy the child feels sick and vomits.
It is impossible not to admit that the reports on warning against mumps, measles, and rubella vaccination usually do not include information about the further development of the situation, that is, whether outbreaks of the disease were observed in the children who received the injection. It remains only to trust the official reports proving the reliability of vaccination. If we compare the manifestations accompanying the period after the administration of the drug with the symptoms of the diseases during their natural course, we cannot but admit: injections are much safer.
What the vaccine protects against: mumps
Mumps in many parents causes the greatest concern. Let's consider what are the key manifestations of this disease, which can be protected from by the timely introduction of a vaccine child. Usually, the incubation period during infection for at least a couple of weeks can reach 23 days. More often, the period varies between 15-19 days, after which the primary typical symptoms of the disease in children occur. Mumps initially manifests pain in the head and joints. Some shiver, others feel the mucous membranes of the oral cavity are dry. If the manifestations bother a very young child who is unable to communicate his condition with words, the only symptom is moodiness, a tendency to cry without obvious reason.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms of mumps in children are supplemented by a rapid increase in temperature and a general lethargic state. The patient loses his appetite, vomits, the baby looks weak. The duration of heat in some is a week or more, and tempering removers are ineffective. If the infection is mild or the child has a strong immune system, the absence of fever is possible, but this is quite rare.
What to look for?
One of the manifestations of mumps is the condition of the salivary glands, a specialist will check them first of all about suspected mumps. With mumps, these areas quickly become inflamed, and often the process spreads to the glands under the jaws and under the tongue. Inflammation leads to severe pain, localized in the behind-the-ear area.
Swelling may occur near the auricle. During the first week after infection, the symptom may cover the neck. The earlobes extend back and forth, it is this feature that became the reason for the appearance of the popular name of the disease. The swelling may not go away within a week, do not panic in this case. Usually this symptom disappears on its own and gradually.
Before refusing to vaccinate your child, weigh the pros and cons very carefully, because the health of the baby is always in the first place with parents.