Currently, a significant threat to the health and life of children is not rare viruses, but the most common pneumococci. These microbes constantly mutate and become more resistant to most antibiotics. They became much more aggressive, respectively, much more dangerous for kids. The younger the child, the more destructive for him pneumococcus, since immunity has not yet been formed. To date, the safest vaccine against the disease is Prevenar (an intramuscular vaccine).
What it is
A vaccine is a medicine that contains a very “weakened” pathogen (antigen). In order for the patient to receive protection from the disease, the contact of the white blood cells of the individual and the microbe is required. This is likely only in two cases: through vaccination or, which is undesirable, during infection. The introduction of the vaccine helps to produce antibodies to the antigen, which is introduced in a harmless volume and significantly weakened form. This eliminates the possibility of a real disease. The second case is more dangerous, because the disease is provoked by an uncontrolled pathogen.
It is also worth noting that the Prevenar vaccine (reviews of which are far from unambiguous) is considered to be maximally processed, clinically tested and quite safe.
What diseases do bacteria cause?
Pneumococcal infections are a type of contagious disease caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacilli. These include:
- bacterial otitis media;
- sore throats;
- meningitis;
- pneumococcal pneumonia.
Vaccination schedule
A prerequisite for such a procedure is to follow the scheme:
- For babies from 2 months to six months, the event is carried out according to the 3 + 1 plan. The vaccine rate is 0.5 ml. The initial 3 doses are administered with a pause of 1 month, the final - at the age of 15 months.
- For children from 7 to 11 months of age, the Prevenar 13 vaccine is given in the same dosage, but only according to the 2 + 1 schedule, the intervals are the same, the final administration is carried out in the second year of the child's life.
- From 1 to 2 years, vaccination is carried out in the same dosage, but only twice with 2-3 month breaks.
- From 2 to 5 years, vaccination is carried out once in an amount of 0.5 ml.
At the time of the procedure, the baby should be examined by a doctor and healthy.
How does the medicine affect the human body
“Prevenar 13” contains over 90% of Streptococcus pneumonia serotypes, which provoke sharp otitis media that are resistant to antibiotics. Each serotype is a part of the destroyed microbe (polysaccharide of a certain composition). If “Prevenar” is vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, the body’s immune system is activated, that is, antibodies are produced. This is a characteristic type of protein that can create a combination of antigen-antibody and neutralize the negative impact of a foreign pathogenic bacterium.
During the struggle of leukocytes with a weakened strain of bacilli, an immune "memory" is formed. And with the next penetration of a harmful bacteria of the same type, the body will already have a ready-made remedy for fighting. Therefore, secondary infection for the most part takes place in a lightweight form.
Risk Categories and Performance
The vaccine Prevenar 13 (the instructions of which will be described later) is recommended for all people who are at risk, namely:
- patients with weak immunity, especially patients with leukemia and HIV carriers;
- the elderly, as well as young children;
- patients with sepsis (with a removed spleen or cell anemia);
- persons in contact with sources of infection;
- people with craniocerebral and spinal injuries;
- adults with chronic cardiovascular pathologies, diseases of the liver, lungs, as well as diabetics.
The Prevenar 13 vaccine (reviews about it can be read in this article) has proven effective when administered to patients from the risk category in 85-90% of cases. Such vaccinations have a beneficial effect on the immune system and even the life expectancy of patients, making it possible to reduce the risk of serious consequences and severe forms of infection.
Complications and contraindications
This pneumococcal vaccine has some limitations in its implementation:
- exacerbation of chronic diseases ;
- fever;
- 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy;
- sharp ailments;
- severe allergic reaction to previously vaccinated vaccines.
"Prevenar" (vaccination) is able to provoke local reactions that are found in 5% of situations and manifest as minor itching and redness in the injection area. General reactions in the form of dizziness, fatigue or a slight increase in temperature are felt by no more than 2% of patients. Such symptoms are harmless to health and disappear 2-3 days after vaccination. But still, allergic reactions after vaccination can be expressed in different ways. In this situation, you need to visit a specialist.
Vaccination reactions in children
After the Prevenar (vaccination) is done, reactions will occur in any case. Although the antigen is weak, in the process of developing immunity, symptoms of malaise will still appear. Although in a lightweight form, but the child is still ill. There are several indicators of a natural reaction to a medicine:
- A slight increase in temperature to 37.5 degrees.
- Trembling against her.
- Redness and densification in the area where Prevenar 13 was vaccinated (reviews of such reactions can be heard from almost anyone).
- Refusal of food, anxiety, lethargy.
These indicators are considered normal and pass after 2-4 days. At this stage, the baby needs peace. Communication with other children should be minimized, and if possible, refuse to attend kindergarten. After three days, the child should be shown to the pediatrician.
What reactions are considered unnatural
Very rarely, but there are special reactions of the human body to the introduction of the vaccine:
- disorder of consciousness (awkward condition, fainting);
- temperature is more than 38 degrees;
- the occurrence of sharp inflammation in the area of administration;
- intensifying reaction, a day after administration.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor. High temperature is possible both as an abnormal state and as an individual reaction within normal limits.
Prevenar (vaccination): instructions
For infants up to 2 years of age, the vaccine is administered intramuscularly in the lateral thigh, and for adults and older children, a single dose of 0.5 ml is administered into the deltoid brachial muscle. Intravenous administration of the drug is strictly prohibited. Patients with poor blood coagulation require subcutaneous administration. Before use, the syringe with the vaccine should be thoroughly shaken until a homogeneous suspension is obtained. If foreign grains are found when examining a syringe, you can not use such a medication.
Opinions of parents
Vaccination "Prevenar" parents' feedback has collected very mixed. Some consider such prevention to be very effective, while others, on the contrary, are not sure of its effectiveness and fear side effects.
The experts' comments on the Prevenar 13 vaccine are also diverse. Some are delighted with the favorable vaccination results, while others indicate that the medicine does not contain enough serotypes. And those antigens that must be present are not in the Prevenar vaccine.
Vaccination in Russia is optional. Its price is quite high - from 3,000 to 4,500 rubles. But still it is better not to save on your health, but to carry out the necessary vaccinations in time.