Hepatitis B is a fairly common disease worldwide. In Russia, the vaccine against this virus was included in the schedule of routine vaccinations in 2002. In this article, we will find out how the Regevac B vaccine differs from its analogues, what indications and contraindications it has, how it is used.
Characteristic
There are several vaccines against hepatitis B , the drug we are considering is one of them. The drug is manufactured by the Russian manufacturer MTX CJSC. The Regevac B vaccine is registered in the State Register under the following number: P N003741 / 01-040310.
The composition of the drug as the main active substance includes ayw (purified surface hepatitis B virus antigen). Excipients are:
- Aluminum hydroxide.
- Merthiolate.
- Agua distillate.
According to clinical data, those who have been vaccinated with this drug in infancy, in 95% of cases received immunity, which lasted for 22 years. However, in order to maintain immunity, it is recommended to be vaccinated approximately every 6-7 years.
"Regevac B" is a recombinant liquid yeast suspension intended for intramuscular administration. The drug is released in ampoules of 0.5 ml and 1 ml.
Indications
The Regevac B hepatitis vaccine is recommended as a prophylactic to all age groups, including newborn babies. Immunization with this drug is carried out according to the calendar of compulsory vaccinations in Russia.
Hepatitis B vaccination is mandatory only for those at risk. Inoculate:
- children from boarding schools, orphanages and orphanages;
- those in whose families have virus carriers or are infected with hepatitis;
- persons often using blood transfusion;
- working in a virology laboratory;
- students of any educational institutions and all health workers;
- those who, due to work or other reasons, come into contact with things belonging to patients with hepatitis B.
Unvaccinated adults in childhood can be given the vaccine starting from 17 years old and ending with 55 years old.
Regevac vaccine: instructions for use
Inoculation with this vaccine is done to small children and newborns intramuscularly in the mid-lateral part of the thigh of 0.5 ml. For persons over 18 years of age, the dosage is 1 ml, the drug is injected into the deltoid muscle.
In general, there is more than one Regevac vaccination schedule. Depending on the group the patient belongs to, the Regevac B vaccine can be administered in various ways, which we will present below.
For newborns, vaccination begins already in the hospital - the first vaccination is given in the first 24 hours of the baby’s life. The second injection is given at the age of 3 months, and the third - at 6 months.
Children who have not been vaccinated before the age of one year, as well as unvaccinated adults, are given the vaccine according to the schedule 0-1-6. That is, the first injection is done on the day of treatment, the second - after 1 month, the last - 6 months after the introduction of the 1st dose.
Infants whose mothers are at risk are considered the most vulnerable to hepatitis. Therefore, their vaccination includes 4 stages:
- the vaccine is first introduced in the hospital;
- the second - in a month;
- the third - at the age of 2 months;
- the fourth - at 12 months.
Also, in this category of children, when the first dose of the vaccine is administered, immunoglobulin is usually added, but the latter is administered subcutaneously.
For those who came into contact with material belonging to the infected, the vaccine is administered as follows: 1st — on the day of treatment; 2nd — exactly 1 month later; 3rd - after 2 months from the first vaccination.
For those who often use hemodialysis, the vaccine is given as follows: 1 - on the day of treatment; 2 - after 7 days; 3 - after 21 days after the first vaccination.
Emergency Prevention
The Regevac vaccine is also suitable for preventive purposes. The instructions attached to the drug have clear indications in this regard. So, people who have had sexual contact with an infected person are recommended to take the following measures.
In the first 2 days after contact, it is necessary to introduce immunoglobulin, which protects the body for 2 months. However, in the first 2 weeks, even after administration of the drug, the body's defense will be significantly weakened. That is why, together with immunoglobulin, Regevac B is administered. In this case, the drug should not be mixed. After the introduction of two drugs, the protection will be the most reliable and will last longer.
Application after infection
Contact with an infected person can lead to illness. This occurs if sperm, blood, ejaculate from a virus carrier or a patient enters the mucous membranes and skin of a healthy person. In such cases, Regevac (vaccine) may also help. The manufacturer, it can be said, made sure that the drug he made became almost universal.
So, in cases of infection, the following treatment is provided.
- Immunoglobulin is administered to a previously unvaccinated person and vaccination is carried out according to an emergency schedule. This is done in cases where it is not known whether the partner had the virus in the blood or not. If it is known for certain that the partner has been infected, emergency vaccination is also given. In cases where the source has a negative blood test for hepatitis in the blood, vaccination is still carried out, but according to the plan.
- A person who has already been vaccinated before, but who has few antibodies in their blood, is vaccinated once in the absence of data on the presence or absence of the virus in the partner. A single vaccination is also given if it is known that the source is infected.
- If a person has been previously vaccinated and a sufficient number of antibodies are found in his blood, he is not vaccinated.
A person does not receive vaccination only if he has already been vaccinated and the test showed a high level of antibodies in the blood. This is issued a document indicating the results of the analysis (HBs). Typically, such measures become necessary in cases of violence and unprotected sex.
Drug reactions
The Regevac B vaccine can also cause side effects and unwanted reactions. Among them, the most common occur:
- increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C;
- slight swelling and redness of the injection site;
- headache and mild malaise;
- disorders and disorders of the digestive tract;
- various allergic reactions if the patient does not tolerate the components of the drug;
- joint and muscle pains.
Usually, vaccine reactions are mild, and all undesirable symptoms disappear after 4-5 days. But in the event that the drug is administered to patients prone to allergic reactions for the first time, they are prescribed antihistamines, which are taken for 3-4 days (only the attending physician can tell for sure) before vaccination.
Contraindications
The Regevac B vaccine is not suitable for everyone and has a number of contraindications. Among them are temporary: exacerbation of chronic diseases or fever. In these cases, it is recommended to be vaccinated after a month from the moment of full recovery. The body will recover by this time and will be able to easily tolerate the vaccine.
Now we list the permanent contraindications for the introduction of Regevac B:
- Strong local reaction after the 1st vaccination. It manifests itself in the fact that erythema (the area of redness and swelling) is more than 8 mm in diameter.
- Intolerance to yeast, including various pastries, bread, etc.
- The temperature increase after vaccination is higher than 40 ° C.
- Serious allergic reactions during previous use of the vaccine.
- Pregnancy.
In cases of easily occurring acute respiratory viral infections, you can vaccinate immediately after lowering the temperature. However, in such cases, after vaccination should remain under the supervision of doctors for the first half hour. Also, the drug must be administered in a room where there are antishock agents.
Price
Can be bought without a prescription "Regevac" (vaccine). The price of the drug will vary slightly depending on the city of residence, the pharmacy network and dosage. Nevertheless, the average cost of the drug will be about 950 rubles, excluding delivery. In the pharmacies of Ukraine "Regevak" is almost impossible to purchase.
Regevac (vaccine): reviews
In principle, vaccine reviews are mostly positive. Children tolerate it quite easily, without complications and serious consequences. However, many mothers chose to vaccinate not at the first hours of a child’s life, but at the age of 1 month. In addition, doctors themselves often recommend Regevac as the vaccine that is most easily tolerated. Nevertheless, patients are advised to read the instructions before the vaccination and follow the nurse who will give the injection, as the medical staff do not always vaccinate according to the instructions.
Another advantage of Regevac is its easy availability and low price compared to foreign counterparts, since the drug is produced in Russia.
As for adults, they are as easily tolerated by vaccination as children. Although vaccination cases of adults are very rare.
Thus, the vaccine is recommended a fairly large number of vaccinated. The biggest plus of the drug is that it practically does not cause reactions in children.