The health of offspring is what primarily concerns diligent parents. At the heart of this is the instinct of procreation, genetically embedded in a person. In addition to this prosaic reason, parents are driven by unconditional love for their children. For centuries, humanity has been thinking about how to protect a fragile body from aggressive agents that threaten a child from everywhere. Scientists' research was not in vain - experts have developed many vaccines, for example, against such formidable ailments as plague, smallpox, cholera, etc. Thanks to these necessary measures, modern mankind does not know the terrible pandemics that took place in the Middle Ages. Now vaccines for many diseases have been created, including the common one like rotavirus infection.
Rotavirus: what is its danger?
Rotavirus is a specific microorganism that causes symptoms in a sick person that are similar to enteritis. It is also called "intestinal flu" and "dirty hands disease." The last name is due to the fact that you can become infected with such a virus without observing basic hygiene principles. Unfortunately, this is precisely the children who sin - they become primarily the target of infection.
Symptoms of rotavirus disease are growing rapidly, usually accompanied by high fever and dyspeptic disorders - vomiting and diarrhea. The danger to small patients is that dehydration of the child's body can occur literally in a matter of hours. It has been proven that adults carry the infection easily and without consequences, but the kids are at risk. Especially those who attend kindergartens, playgrounds and other places with a large crowd of people. In addition, rotavirus can bring sick adults into the apartment. It is known that a person begins to secrete the virus two days before the manifestation of vivid symptoms and continues to spread it about two months after the end of the disease. Therefore, the probability of contracting this disease at least once in a lifetime reaches 100%.
According to statistics, every sixty-fifth child is subject to hospitalization when infected with this virus. Therefore, the Rotatek vaccine for a child will be very appropriate and will certainly protect him from a dangerous infection. In addition, it will allow you to develop a strong and lasting immunity against an aggressive microorganism.
Rotatek - reliable protection against rotavirus
Rotavirus infection is not a one-time illness - it has several serotypes, so you can get it again. To prevent this, the Rotatek vaccine will help, because it contains the genomes of the main strains of the virus.
This drug acts on the principle of producing antibodies to the five main rotavirus serotypes in the body of a vaccinated child, diseases of which have been registered worldwide since the beginning of the 70s of the last century. It is from the point of view of developing an immune response to the virus invasion that Rotatec vaccine can help. The manufacturer of the drug is the United States of America, the company is Merck Sharp and Dome, and the product is packaged and packaged in the Netherlands. Accordingly, there is no doubt in the excellent quality of the medication.
Vaccine "Rotatek": description of the drug, composition, pharmacodynamics
The drug has proven effective and has been included in the vaccination schedule in many countries. On the territory of the Russian Federation, such a decision has not yet been made, so those who wish to are forced to purchase this vaccine themselves. The description of the drug, which is given in the article, will be useful for this category of parents. It is immediately worth mentioning that this tool is not intended for injection - it is provided exclusively for oral administration to the body. The Rotatek vaccine has a pale yellow color, but a pinkish tint is allowed, which is not a deviation from the norm.
As already mentioned, it contains five major serotypes of rotavirus - from G-1 to G-4, as well as a reassortant called P1A. These are living fragments of the bovine and human virus genomes. To improve the taste and perception of the drug, children have added such auxiliary substances as sucrose. Among other things, the composition includes sodium hydroxide, polysorbate and other components. This is necessary in order to preserve viral cultures in the highest quality. The Rotatek vaccine, the photo of which can be seen in the article, is packaged in 2 ml polyethylene tubes (single dose). Some containers are equipped with a protective individual foil case.
Why was it decided to develop a tool called Rotatek? The vaccine was created due to the high pharmacodynamics of rotavirus on the planet. Data from numerous statistical studies suggest that RV affects about 95% of children under 5 years of age, causing acute gastroenteritis followed by dehydration (dehydration). As a result of hospitalization, up to 71% of patients are subject. Lethal cases are also observed, since the ailment is the most dangerous for infants. About 140 million children fall ill with intestinal flu annually in the world. In this regard, in many countries it was decided to introduce this drug into the mandatory vaccination calendar.
Rotatec vaccine against rotavirus infection met expectations - the incidence has significantly decreased, and the number of severe cases has decreased several times. It is successfully used by over 40 countries. There is one feature that also significantly affects the effectiveness of the drug - a combined viral component. This means that the composition of the product includes individual fragments of an infectious agent in order to cause the most adequate immune response of the body.
Rotatek vaccine: instruction
The drug, created thanks to developments in the field of genetic engineering, as already mentioned, is quite successfully applied in practice. According to the annotation, the product is used only in infancy. The Rotatek vaccine (the instructions contain detailed information about its use) is administered three times with an interval of at least a month.
The first dose is recommended to be administered no earlier than 6 weeks and no later than two months of age. The end of vaccination should be no later than the child reaches eight months. There are several important nuances regarding the use of the drug:
- If the child spits out the contents from the mouth, then the vaccine should not be repeated, since there is no such clinical experience and the consequences can be unpredictable. The remaining doses must be administered according to calendar dates.
- Premature babies are allowed to recommend a vaccine, but to those born no earlier than the 25th week. It is necessary to administer the drug to the infant at the age of one and a half months.
- Studies have shown that the Rotatek vaccine does not affect the immune response after parallel inoculation with other drugs (for diphtheria and tetanus, acellular pertussis, poliomyelitis, etc.).
An indication for use is the prevention of the incidence of rotavirus infection of the five main types.
Storage conditions of the drug are as important as the timing, since improper contents of the tube can lead to the loss or change in the basic properties of the vaccine. The temperature at which it is necessary to store the drug should not exceed + 8⁰ C. The lower threshold for temperature amplitude is + 2⁰ C. It is strictly forbidden to freeze the vaccine. In addition, its place of detention should be dark, with moderate humidity and inaccessible to children. It is necessary to use the drug immediately after opening and at a temperature not exceeding + 25 ° C. In an extreme case, the open vaccine can be stored at a temperature regime of no more than two days.
The rules of drug administration
This chapter has specific information, which is more likely for vaccine medical personnel. But parents also have the right to know the whole mechanism in order to track its correctness and be confident in the further effectiveness of the drug. The first thing to do before any vaccination is to undergo a mandatory examination by a pediatrician. It should be borne in mind that the doctor should carefully consider the questioning of parents about the illnesses suffered by the child, the presence of allergic reactions, and also assess the current condition of the small patient. If the vaccine has already been administered, then the doctor will find out in detail its effect on the child's body.
Only after a thorough examination does the pediatrician decide on vaccination. Before this, the doctor is obliged to warn parents about the possible consequences and undesirable reactions, which are extremely rare, but are found. According to the generally accepted vaccination schedule, the first oral administration of the drug should ideally occur when the infant is 6 weeks old. The healthcare provider uses the following algorithm:
- It opens the container, takes out the dispenser and, holding it vertically, taps the top of the tube by tapping on the top of the tube, which are in the tip area.
- It violates the tightness of the dispenser, punctures it with a sharp tip located inside the cap (scrolling all the way).
- The dose is administered carefully and slowly, directing it to the inside of the child's cheek, until the tube is almost completely empty.
- Disposal of the drug residues and its container is carried out in accordance with the instructions for the disposal of biohazardous waste.
There are a few more points to clarify. For example, is the Rotatek vaccine prescribed for a 4 year old child? The answer is unequivocal - no. At the age of 33 weeks, this drug does not make sense. In other words, both four-year-old or sixteen-year-old children, and adults, including the elderly, this tool is not prescribed. But in case of incompetence of the doctor and lack of knowledge of the parents, the first dose of the drug may be unjustifiably introduced. If this happens, then it is necessary to complete the vaccination in accordance with the scheme. It should be noted that late vaccination is not dangerous, but clinical studies in this area are insufficient to prescribe the drug at an older age. Therefore, strictly up to eight months, this process must be completed.
Adverse reactions
Like any medication, Rotatek - a vaccine used against rotavirus, can cause unwanted reactions. The following list is made taking into account the frequency of their occurrence:
- The most undesirable and disturbing symptom that is possible when using this drug is intestinal obstruction. Fortunately, this situation is very rare.
- An equally exclusive phenomenon may be urticaria.
- A little more often, but still extremely rarely, bronchospasm or inflammation of the middle ear occurs.
- Infrequently, cases of nasopharyngitis and various types of mild rash have been reported.
- With a high degree of probability after vaccination, hyperthermia, diarrhea, less often - vomiting can be observed.
You need to know that mild ailment is not an obstacle to vaccination.
Contraindications
Nevertheless, this drug also has absolute contraindications, in the presence of which its oral administration is strictly prohibited:
- intestinal invagination (obstruction), previously observed in the patient's history;
- immunodeficiency virus or suspicion of this condition;
- gastrointestinal malformations;
- acute conditions accompanied by hyperthermia, vomiting, diarrhea;
- allergic reactions to one of the components of the vaccine or intolerance to its components.
Relative contraindications include the following cases:
- malignant neoplasms;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage;
- diverse developmental delays;
- recent blood transfusions.
In such situations, the vaccine should be used with extreme caution. Also, you can not use the drug earlier than when the child reaches the age of 6 weeks.
The opinion of experts
Experts note the high effectiveness of the drug "Rotatek" (vaccine). The reviews (Komarovsky, by the way, are of a rather high opinion about her) indicate that, according to the observations of pediatricians, the remedy significantly reduces the incidence of vaccinated children in seasonal peaks of epidemics. Among other things, doctors argue that this measure, if it does not completely protect against a viral agent, will certainly reduce the risk of a complicated course of the disease. What else is noteworthy, according to experts, the Rotatek vaccine?
Komarovsky Yevgeny Olegovich, a well-known pediatrician whose parents have trusted reasonable advice, believes that the drug is able to protect against rotavirus infection in 80% of cases and is 100% likely to relieve complications and serious health problems. In general, he responds positively to this vaccine and recommends its use, unless, of course, there are contraindications.
Parent reviews
What do parents think of a drug like the Rotatek vaccine? Reviews about it from them come mostly positive. Some, however, doubt whether it is worth the next vaccination, which is already quite a lot, but after talking with pediatricians and parents who have already taken the vaccine, they change their minds.
Those who went on vacation abroad are very happy that they protected their babies from infection. Indeed, on the road and unusual conditions, a small child is especially susceptible to disease. There are responses when mothers breathe a sigh of relief that they managed to vaccinate a child before they get sick themselves. Having felt the severity of the symptoms of this ailment (despite the fact that it is much easier for adults to tolerate), parents happily report that the vaccinated child did not get sick even in an infected home environment. Therefore, the Rotatek vaccine received positive reviews.
Of course, there are also dissatisfied users who are not satisfied with the cost of the drug (indeed, quite high), because not everyone has the opportunity to pay 3200 rubles per dose of the vaccine (prices vary depending on the region). Some complain about the lack of this position in their city. But there are no complaints about the effectiveness of the drug called the Rotatek vaccine. On the contrary, the vast majority of parents recommend it for use.
Are there any analogues?
Those who wish to give their child a similar vaccine, but currently do not have the financial ability, are advised to replace the drug called Rotatek vaccine. Her analogues are not numerous, or rather, it is presented in a single copy. The drug "Rotariks" (cost about 700 rubles) has similar properties. There is no alternative yet.
In its effect on the body and the formation of immune mechanisms, it is absolutely similar to the Rotatek vaccine. The UK produces this product, in particular, the company Glaxo Smith Klein. This drug is slightly different in composition (excipients vary), but otherwise it is almost the same - it has the same side effects and contraindications, method of application, and also timing (from 6 weeks). Infants can be vaccinated up to six months of age, but the regimen of the drug involves the use of two doses. In addition, if the child vomited abundantly immediately after administration of the vaccine, then the dose should be reintroduced into the oral cavity (this is excluded with the use of Rotatek). The instructions say that after the age of one year, the use of the vaccine will not bring results, since the risk of the disease gradually decreases with the formation of intestinal microflora.
Only parents are allowed to make the final decision on the use of the vaccine. Therefore, they should be acquainted with all possible information regarding the vaccine and warned of potential side effects.