Vaccination is one of the ways to stimulate the human immune system. Vaccinations are mandatory, which are given to almost all children with a few exceptions, and there are those that are prescribed only for certain indications. Before giving an unscheduled vaccination to a child, information about her should be carefully studied, consult a doctor and read reviews. "Prevenar" is just that vaccine, with indications and contraindications for which you need to be careful.
Release form and composition
The Prevenar vaccine is not produced in Russia, but is imported from abroad (USA, Europe). Supplied in 0.5 ml syringes ready for injection. Includes pneumococcal compounds (polysaccharide + CRM197), including polysaccharides of serotypes: 4 (2 μg), 6V (4 μg), 9V (2 μg), 14 (2 μg), 18C (2 μg), 19F (2 μg) , 23F (2 μg) and CRM197 diphtheria protein carrier (20 μg).
Auxiliary components in the composition of the suspension are: aluminum phosphate, sodium chloride, purified distilled water.
The drug "Prevenar", reviews of which are very different, fully meets all the necessary WHO standards for the production and control of conjugated pneumococcal vaccines. Intended for the prevention of diseases caused by pneumococcal infections.
The cost of the vaccine ranges from 3500-4000 rubles.
Pharmacology
Suspension "Prevenar" contains seven, thirteen or twenty-three pneumococcal strains. Their number depends on the type of vaccine. Serotypes are pneumococcal polysaccharides extracted from different groups of gram-positive Streptococcus bacteria, each of which is combined with a diphtheria protein carrier CRM197 and adsorbed on aluminum phosphate.
Vaccination with Prevenar, which is quite controversial, triggers the production of antibodies against polysaccharides Streptococcus pneumoniae strains 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F. This process stimulates the body's immune system. Antibodies are developed that can resist pneumococcal infections.
The effect of the drug on immunity
Infants, starting from two months of life, are vaccinated according to a certain scheme. This injection procedure is needed to create a constant immune response of the body, which manifests itself after the first, second and subsequent vaccination. It is scientifically proven that the number of antibodies increases significantly after the first vaccination. In total, after a certain time period, three doses of the Prevenar 13 vaccine are administered, reviews of which say that it can significantly strengthen the child’s immunity and create antibodies to all strains after the first procedure.
The formation of antibodies to vaccine serotypes is also observed after one intramuscular injection in children of the age group from two to five years. Here, the body’s immune response was the same as in children under two years old.
Before the launch of the Prevenar 13 vaccine, reviews of which make us think about the feasibility of its introduction, a mass clinical trial was conducted in the field of stimulating the body's immune system. The study involved about 18 thousand children aged 2 to 15 months. The results proved the effectiveness of this suspension in the fight against diseases of the pneumococcal group by 97%. At the same time, the percentage ratio for American children was 85%, for European children ranged from 65 to 80%.
The effectiveness of the prevention of bacterial pneumonia caused by the serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae reached the level of 87.5%, which was confirmed by numerous reviews.
“Prevenar” showed its result (54%) in patients aged 2-15 months. Here she was examined for otitis media of moderate and acute severity, provoked by serotypes of pneumococci.
In vaccinated children, the immune response to strains not included was 33% higher. But, despite this, the number of diseases caused by serotypes being injected decreased by 34%. So, the number of patients with otitis media decreased by 6-18%, with recurrent acute cases by 9-23%. And the need for tympanostomy in vaccinated children decreased by 24-39%.
Indications and contraindications for vaccination
The Prevenar 13 vaccine, reviews of which recommend that all information be strongly studied, is indicated for use as a prophylactic drug for the prevention of diseases provoked by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F (this includes sepsis, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis and otitis media of various degrees) in children of the age group from two months to five years.
Contraindications to vaccination are various diseases. These are infectious and non-communicable diseases: flu, acute respiratory viral infections, colds, tonsillitis and the like. Do not be vaccinated during an exacerbation of chronic ailments. Do not administer Prevenar to children with hypersensitivity to the drug and its excipients, as well as to diphtheria toxoid.
In these and other cases, vaccination is carried out only after the full recovery of the child or at the stage of remission of the disease.
Vaccine Prevenar: instructions for use
The vaccine is intended only for intramuscular injection into the anterolateral part of the thigh for children under two years of age, or, as an option, in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder for children over two years of age.
Under no circumstances should a drug be administered intravenously!
Vaccination should be carried out according to a certain scheme. So, for infants aged 2-6 months, three vaccines of 0.5 ml are administered. The interval between them should be at least a month. The first vaccine according to the plan is administered in two months, and the fourth (revaccination) - in the second year of a child’s life, optimally in 12-15 months.
If the child was not vaccinated in the first six months of life, then the Prevenar vaccine, reviews of which are different, is introduced into the body according to the following schemes.
In childhood, 7-11 months, two doses of the drug with a volume of 0.5 ml each are administered. The interval between injections should be at least a month;
At the age of 12 to 23 months, the child is vaccinated in two doses, the volume of one dose is 0.5 ml. The interval between vaccinations should be at least 60 days. For children of the age group 2 to 5 years, the drug is administered once in an amount of 0.5 ml.
Additional vaccination, in addition to the proposed schemes, is not provided.
The “Prevenar” vaccine, which is mostly positive for doctors, is a white homogeneous suspension. The appearance of a cloudy precipitate of white color is quite acceptable. The vaccine is shaken immediately prior to use until a uniform color liquid is obtained. Before vaccination, carefully inspect the contents of the syringe for foreign particles. If they are, or the suspension has a color other than white, then the drug is prohibited.
Side effects
“Prevenar 13” was studied on absolutely healthy children aged from six weeks to eighteen months. The vaccine was administered on the same day as other childhood vaccinations, which are recommended by the Ministry of Health. Of the side effects observed: pain and compaction of the vaccination site, fever.
During revaccination, there was a quick passing discomfort at the vaccination site in 36.5% of cases, up to temporary numbness of the extremities - 18.5%. In children over the age of two years, a greater intensity of local reactions was recorded than in patients under 1.5 years of age, but they were very short. Infants (up to 28 weeks old) with unripe pulmonary organs have a history of apnea.
In children who received Prevenar 13 at the same time as DTP vaccinations, the percentage of post- vaccination reactions and complications was higher. So, a body temperature exceeding 38 ° C was observed in 41.2%, above 39 ° C - in 3.3%, compared with 1.2% - this is a children group, which was administered only one DTP vaccine.
Similar phenomena were observed with the combination of Prevenar suspension with hexavalent vaccinations, often used in pediatric practice, usually with vaccines against:
- whooping cough;
- tetanus
- hemophilic infection of type B;
- hepatitis B;
- diphtheria;
- poliomyelitis.
During clinical trials, the following side effects were identified. This is, first of all, redness with a diameter of more than 2.4 cm, swelling, soreness, tightening in the injection area. This reaction of the body in some cases led to a temporary limitation of the work of the lower extremities. In rare cases, the injection site was pruritus, dermatitis or urticaria.
Often there was an increased body temperature up to 38 ° C and above, as well as irritability, drowsiness, lethargy, poor and intermittent sleep, excessive tearfulness. There have been cases of hyperthermia above 39 ° C. Arterial hypotension, hypergia, allergic reactions of the body, including anaphylactic shock, edema of varying complexity, pulmonary spasm, shortness of breath, cramps occurred sometimes.
From the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, lack or loss of appetite were observed . The appearance of erythema multiforme or lymphadenopathy is not ruled out.
Special instructions for use of the drug
Only children under five years of age are vaccinated with Prevenar. The instruction says that the vaccine is administered to adults. Also, its effect on the development of the fetus during pregnancy was not revealed. The effect of the drug on the baby through breast milk has not been adequately studied.
This vaccine is recommended to be administered only to a healthy child, should not be used during acute respiratory and other diseases. Especially if there is an increase in body temperature. In this case, you should wait for the full recovery of the child.
To be ready to provide the necessary assistance with the likelihood of anaphylactic shock, the doctor should monitor the patient's response within 30 minutes after administration of the drug.
To avoid the risk of apnea, the patient should be monitored for about 48-72 hours, especially with primary vaccination in children under 28 weeks of age.
The vaccine "Prevenar" (reviews of doctors about her say that it has a good effect on the baby’s immunity), should be administered strictly according to the scheme, so you should not postpone the procedure.
The drug provides protection only against strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae included in the suspension, but not from other, including invasive diseases.
As a result of vaccination, the incidence of pneumonia decreased compared to unvaccinated children in the first year by 32.2%, and during the first two years - by 23.4%.
Antipyretic drugs are recommended for children vaccinated with the vaccine in combination with pertussis injections to exclude the development of febrile reactions. They are also prescribed for children located to convulsive reactions.
Prevenar is made in a syringe ready for vaccination. Its contents can not be poured into other dishes or combined independently with other medicines.
Overdose and interaction with other medicines
Previously known cases of overdose of the vaccine, non-compliance with the vaccination schedule and violation of the timing of immunization. These factors can cause unwanted effects. In order to avoid them, it is advised to be vaccinated according to the instructions. This is exactly what the reviews say.
Prevenar is administered on the same day as other necessary vaccines, with the exception of BCG vaccination. The drug can be combined with a prophylactic vaccine against Hib infection and with the Infanrix vaccine. In this case, vaccinations should be done in different parts of the body.
The drug is dispensed strictly by prescription. It should be stored in a dry, cool and inaccessible place for children, at a temperature of 2 ° to 8 ° C. He is not frozen. The vaccine has a shelf life of three years.
Which is better: "Prevenar" or "Pneumo 23"
Most often, pediatricians prescribe the vaccine "Prevenar 13", "Prevenar" or "Pneumo 23". The reviews are mixed. The first vaccine contains thirteen serotypes, the second seven, and the third twenty-three. Experts say that if you started to do immunization with one vaccine, for example, Prevenar, then you need to finish the course with it. Although it is allowed to replace the 7-valent vaccine with Prevenar 13
You can be vaccinated and adults over 50 years old or those already vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine. In these cases, the drug "Prevenar" is administered once.
Instructions, reviews and the WHO recommend vaccination with this drug to all children under two years of age. The vaccine helps to develop immunity to diseases caused by pneumococcus: bronchitis, otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis.
Other infections may be causative agents of these diseases, but it is the pneumococcal group that is capable of causing irreparable damage to the child’s health, including provoking his death. If you choose between the vaccines "Prevenar 7" and "Prevenar 13", it is often advised to choose the latter, since it contains a larger number of strains. It is prescribed for children from 6 months to two years. The vaccine has a long exposure period.
“Prevenar 23”, unlike “Prevenar”, is prescribed only according to indications of an age group older than two years. These drugs are different in their effects. If the infant is vaccinated with Prevenar, then after two years you can be vaccinated with Prevenar 23. The last drug is administered to weak and often ill children strictly as prescribed by the doctor. An indisputable advantage is a large number of strains - 23. The vaccine is more affordable.
"Pneumo-23" does not create immunity for a long time, and therefore, revaccination is necessary every 3-5 years.
Vaccination immunization: reviews
"Prevenar" caused a lot of controversial debate. Promises of doctors to improve the health status of the child and the successful experience of many mothers, whose children after this vaccination ceased to be sick, makes many to pay attention to it. But not everything is as smooth as it seems at first glance. After the vaccination, many children both got sick and continued to get sick. In some cases, the vaccine provoked a fever, bronchitis, runny nose and other diseases that had a long recovery period. The effect was as if they had not been immunized. Parents of vaccinated children also complain of compaction, redness, which leaves behind a vaccination at the injection site. Many children after its introduction moved with difficulty.
There are many people to whom the vaccine has helped boost immunity and relieved a number of diseases. And some came to the conclusion that it should be done only according to indications, that is, weak and often ill children, as well as leading an active lifestyle.
The opinions of doctors regarding the introduction of the Prevenar vaccine were divided among the children. Some are advised to be vaccinated. Indicate an increase in immunity. Others speak of strains 1 and 5, which themselves are capable of provoking pneumococcal diseases. Also, this vaccine is prohibited in many countries.
From the foregoing, it can be concluded that the Prevenar vaccine is by no means a panacea for all ills, but, done properly, it can significantly increase the child ’s immunity .