What is the best flu vaccine? Types of vaccines by manufacturers (French, Dutch) and characteristics (live and inactivated). Reviews of the Vaxigrip, Influvac and Influenza vaccines and the need for their use in adults, children and pregnant women. Vaccination

Influenza, also known as the flu, is serious and potentially fatal. dangerous disease, which is also very contagious. Influenza is a viral infection that affects respiratory system person. The flu can go away on its own, but some people, such as children under 2 years of age and adults over 65 years of age, are at risk for complications from the flu. However, getting a flu vaccine every year and taking preventive measures can help you avoid getting the flu or serious complications after him.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing for vaccination

    Avoid vaccinations using pre-filled syringes. The term "prefilled syringes" in in this case does not apply to influenza vaccines, which are packaged by the manufacturer in individual doses in the form of ready-made syringes, but means the situation when the clinic’s medical staff pre-draws the vaccine (from individual or multi-dose ampoules) into individual syringes even before the patient comes to them. If you work in a clinic (or run a clinic), including one that vaccinates the population, try to ensure that patients are not administered vaccines from syringes that have been prepared. This will help avoid vaccination mistakes.

    Take precautions regarding patient safety. Before administering the vaccine, a number of precautions must be taken, including making sure that the patient has not already received such a vaccination this year. This step will help prevent a situation where the patient receives an extra dose of the virus or passes dangerous vaccination if there are negative consequences from past vaccinations in the medical history. Be sure to ask the patient about any allergies to avoid receiving the vaccine in the case of past allergic reactions. If the patient is unsure of his answer, review his medical record. Always use two-step verification of a patient's identity by asking for their name and date of birth to ensure the right person is vaccinated.

    Explain to the patient the risks and benefits of influenza vaccination. Every person who receives the vaccine must be familiar with this information. He must understand what type of vaccine he is being given and how it works to protect him during epidemics.

    Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water before giving any injection. This will help prevent the spread of both the flu virus and other bacteria that you or your patient may have.

    Fill the syringe with the flu vaccine. Take the vaccine ampoule and draw the required dose of vaccine into the syringe for your patient. The dosage of the vaccine is determined by the age of the patient and the specific drug.

    Insert the needle into the patient's deltoid muscle. Pinch the patient's muscle between two fingers and hold firmly. Ask the patient which arm is dominant beforehand and administer the vaccine to the other arm to prevent excessive painful sensations after vaccination. If this is your first time receiving the flu vaccine, it should be done under the supervision of more experienced medical personnel who will supervise your technique.

    Administer the vaccine by emptying the syringe completely. Make sure you get the full dose of vaccine. The patient needs the full dose for the vaccine to be optimally effective.

    • If the patient shows signs of discomfort, reassure or distract him with conversation.
  1. Remove the needle. Once you have injected the entire dose, remove the needle from muscle tissue. Apply pressure to the injection site with an alcohol pad to reduce pain and apply a bandage if necessary.

    Document the administration of the vaccine in the patient's medical record or vaccination certificate. Indicate the date and place of vaccination. The patient may need these records in the future, as will you if you continue to keep of this patient at my clinic. This information will protect the patient from overdose of the vaccine or too frequent vaccination.

    Inform parents of young children that the child may need to be given the vaccine again. Children aged 6 months to 8 years may need two doses of the vaccine, four weeks apart. If your child has not been vaccinated before or has an unknown vaccination history, or if he has not been vaccinated for more than two years, he may need two doses of the vaccine.

  2. Ask the patient to report any side effects from vaccination. Tell the patient about possible side effects of the vaccine, such as fever or pain. Despite the fact that in most cases side effects disappear on their own; if they are very pronounced or do not disappear, the patient should consult a doctor.

    • In case of emergency, keep on hand everything you need to resuscitate the patient. In addition, you should have contact information for the patient’s relatives to contact them in in case of emergency.

Influenza, as an insidious and rather dangerous disease, threatens the planet's population with the emergence of mass epidemics every year. The calendar date for the beginning of the morbidity period is considered to be last decade October with the transition to the first ten days of November. Every adult who pays maximum attention to their health at the end of autumn is faced with a choice: will a flu shot help avoid infection, and most importantly severe complications after illness. Moreover, vaccination and its methods raise many questions and conflicting opinions.

Important information about influenza vaccination

The main task of anti-influenza preventive measures– form the basis specific immunity To a certain type the causative agent of influenza, which helps prevent infection. With the vaccine substance, a special set of antigenic material enters the body, including fragments of the pathogen, traces of its vital activity, as well as killed or inactivated microorganisms.

The effectiveness of the vaccine, which is valid for only a year, is assessed by the following factors:

  • degree of immunity to a formidable infection;
  • heaviness characteristic symptoms diseases;
  • duration of development of the pathology;
  • number of complications that occurred after acute stage diseases.

Advice: it should be taken into account that due to the constant mutation of the microorganism, new strains of influenza viruses appear every few months, so immunization involves vaccination only with vaccines that are relevant for the current year, and not with drugs from previous years.

What you should know about the influenza vaccination process

  1. Persistent immunity after vaccination does not appear immediately; 10-14 days must pass after it. Therefore, the vaccine is administered on the eve of an epidemic, and not during it; a solution of the antigenic complex introduced at the height of an epidemic can provoke the disease itself.
  2. It is known that modern epidemics develop in waves; in order to prevent diseases during the entire period of the epidemic, the flu vaccine contains a set of three pathogens.
  3. In order for the immune system to gain sufficient strength after vaccination, it is necessary to consider:
  • quality of the drug - its purity, viability, dosage;
  • the condition of the person being vaccinated - his age, genetic predisposition, assess the level of immune response;
  • external factors related to nutrition, human living and working conditions, and climate.
  • Strict adherence to the rules and conditions of the process will guarantee that immunization will give the expected positive result– up to 90% protection.
  • Due to the annual mutations of the influenza virus before the next epidemic, according to the WHO forecast on the typical properties of viruses, vaccine manufacturers promptly change the composition that will be used for vaccination.
  • Important: vaccination against influenza helps to reduce the threshold of morbidity, reduces the severity of the disease, becomes a reliable barrier against complications due to infection, and minimizes the number of deaths. You should not refuse the injection, especially for people at risk.

    Anti-influenza serum is indicated for the following persons:

    • people who are often sick, especially those suffering from respiratory problems;
    • people with pathologies of the nervous and endocrine system, hearts;
    • those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease;
    • employees of large teams;
    • for blood diseases and immunodeficiency states;
    • children attending child care institutions, as well as receiving immunomodulators.

    Advice: the effectiveness and benefit of immunization for pregnant women is due to the fact that they are recommended to be vaccinated during pregnancy planning. If the condition is not met, then after the first trimester of pregnancy, so as not to harm the fetus. The decision on expediency is made by the doctor.

    What flu vaccines are used against a dangerous disease?

    Name of the vaccinating drug Country releasing the vaccine Important information
    Live influenza vaccine LAIV Intranasal, persistent immunity is formed due to infection and the course of the disease in a mild form. Has many contraindications and causes side effects
    Grippovac Russia The inactivated liquid centrifuge vaccine is produced in doses for intranasal administration and in the form of a suspension for subcutaneous administration to children over 7 years of age and adults.
    Vaxigrip France The most effective vaccine among domestic and foreign drugs, minimum complications against the background of the formation of full immunity, administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly
    Begrivak Germany The inactivated drug contains a minimum dose of virus strains relevant in the coming epidemic season
    Fluarix England Split vaccine is administered to children over a year old and adults burdened with serious chronic pathologies
    Influvac Netherlands Highly purified drug with a low percentage of side effects, contains parts of antigens of viruses of groups A and B
    Agrippal S1 Italy Purified subunit vaccine, designed for people (children and adults) with chronic diseases of particular severity
    Grippol and Grippol plus Russia The inactivated drug and its improved analogue do not contain live viruses. Vaccinate children from three years of age, adolescents and adults
    Inflexal Switzerland Virosomal vaccine made using new technologies. It is intended for children older than six months and adults for whom other vaccines are contraindicated.



    Important: according to the standard, influenza vaccination is carried out annually in October-November, so that in the remaining time before the start of the epidemic period, it has time to form immune defense from infection. Carry out the procedure in more early dates inappropriate because By the end of the epidemic, the number of antibodies will decrease, which is fraught with a high risk of infection.

    Will the flu shot be a lifesaver?

    The disease is caused by pathogens of three varieties - A, B, C; people of all ages are quite susceptible to them, at any time of the year, although the incidence threshold is exceeded in winter. During this period, due to a lack of vitamins and fresh air, as well as hypothermia, people become most defenseless against infection.

    Taking into account these factors, as well as individual approach vaccination should become a reliable barrier against an infectious disease that threatens dangerous complications. The influenza virus, reducing resistance to other infectious diseases, becomes the cause bacterial infections, exacerbation of chronic ailments, can cause pneumonia and otitis media, development-threatening meningitis.

    Important: if the effectiveness of the vaccine is high, there will be fewer sick people, which will reduce the scale of the epidemic, preventing it from developing into a pandemic, when large populations of not only the population of countries, but also continents are involved in the infection process.

    Not everyone and not always are allowed to get a flu shot; there are some restrictions on the seasonal injection:

    • colds with fever;
    • allergic reaction to chicken protein as part of the drug;
    • the presence of certain chronic diseases of the heart, kidneys, nervous and endocrine systems, respiratory tract.

    Important: children under six months of age are not given an anti-influenza injection because they are protected by maternal immunity. It is also not recommended to vaccinate children under three years of age due to wide range complications and contraindications to the procedure.

    Once in the human body, the protein structures of the anti-influenza drug are able to recognize and destroy the virus, preventing its reproduction. The effect of the body’s immune reaction lasts from six months to a year, becoming the key to a person’s high resistance to the virus during the seasonal epidemic, even a certain protection against acute respiratory infections.

    How and how to prevent seasonal disease

    Currently, vaccination of society is considered the main means of mass preventive measures against the unfolding of large-scale epidemics. The effectiveness of the protection process depends on the right choice a type of vaccine that contains live (weakened) or killed viruses or their fragments. Once in the human body, they force it to fight infection, thereby forming a specific response to infection (immunity).

    The purpose and purpose of vaccination is to help to the human body produce protective antibodies in response to specific antigens supplied with the drug, which increases the body’s resistance to infection. Immunization is usually carried out in community clinics and specialized vaccination centers, as well as in private clinics (licensed), which serve as paid service can give the injection at home.

    Tip: Remember to ensure high efficiency The influenza vaccine is given annually at least two weeks before the official start of the epidemic, since it will take 14 days for immunity to develop. The vaccine is valid throughout the epidemic season, and 80% coverage of the population contributes to herd immunity.

    The immunization procedure is performed with the following types of drugs:

    1. Live vaccines capable of causing mild influenza. Vaccination provides fairly stable immunity of good strength.
    2. Inactivated vaccines, which can be:
    • whole virion, they are characterized by stable resistance to the disease, but the percentage side effects high;
    • split, capable of providing maximum immunity without toxic effects;
    • subunit, their effectiveness is inferior to split split vaccines;
    • virosomal complexes, which enhance the immune response to vaccination, are well tolerated.

    What flu vaccines are provided during immunization?

    Type Information about the drug How to administer
    Live vaccine (attenuated) The drug contains weakened strains of the virus, cultivated on chicken embryos, which can cause influenza. The vaccine is prohibited for use during an epidemic and is contraindicated for people with chronic diseases, children and pregnant women To stimulate a local response, it is administered intranasally, once for adults, twice for children.
    Whole virion vaccine Inactivated purified, contains a concentration of viruses killed by special treatment. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women due to the high rate of complications Intramuscular and subcutaneous route of administration from 16 years of age, from 7 years of age - intranasally
    Split-split vaccines They contain destroyed components of the virus, but are capable of forming an immune response. Contain a combination of external and internal virus envelope antigens, which provides protection against new and old modifications of the virus Intramuscular one-time method injection (shoulder muscle) from 6 months of age
    Subunit vaccines The composition of the drug is enriched with fragments of surface antigens of the virus envelope, which somewhat reduces the effect of vaccination. The product may contain an additional enhancing substance (polyoxidonium) and can be produced in an individual syringe dose Intramuscular and subcutaneous route of administration, a special category of people should be administered twice
    Virosomal vaccine Developed using new technologies, inactivated, with the virosomal complex of surface antigens of the virus. Distinctive feature– well tolerated, free from preservatives, provides lasting immunity Intramuscular and subcutaneous administration method, for underweight children the vaccine is placed in the thigh

    Advice: it should be noted that anti-influenza serum only protects against influenza, and not against other colds, although after vaccination their course is weakened. In addition, the injection does not reduce immunity, and the person vaccinated does not become a source of infection for others.

    What complications can arise from influenza?

    Doctors believe that the disease itself is not as dangerous as its many severe complications, which the vaccine is designed to stop. However, the flu vaccination itself can cause some adverse reactions for the administration of anti-influenza serum. The reactions are usually local in nature and usually pass quickly, appearing one day after the injection, and disappear without a trace after a maximum of three days.

    Adverse reactions to the vaccine include the appearance of redness, mild swelling and heaviness in the injection area. Sometimes appetite decreases, the temperature may rise, accompanied by mild malaise. These symptoms indicate that the vaccine has begun to take effect.

    Advice: if the temperature has exceeded the 38-degree barrier against the background general weakness and broken state, and the injection site is very swollen with signs of suppuration, such signs are considered a deviation from the norm. It is necessary to immediately notify the doctor.

    Fear of side effects from the administration of influenza serum should not be a reason for refusing vaccination, since complications after influenza affect a number of important systems life support of the human body.

    As a disease, influenza is unpredictable, and complications after it are divided into the following groups:

    1. Complications after the disease associated with its immediate course cause the development of:
    • hemoragic pulmonary edema;
    • meningitis, as well as serous meningoencephalitis;
    • infectious-toxic shock.
  • Complications after the flu, caused by the addition of bacterial infections (secondary), cause the disease:
    • pneumonia;
    • otitis and sinusitis;
    • glomerulonephritis;
    • purulent meningoencephalitis.

    Advice: it is for prevention and prevention that it is fatal dangerous complications flu vaccination is so important, especially since severe side effects after it is quite a rare occurrence.

    In addition to vaccinations before the outbreak of the epidemic, as preventive measures, doctors advise supporting the body with vitamins and herbal preparations, hardening. Emergency prevention and the treatment of rapidly spreading influenza is recommended to be carried out using methods of passive prevention, using drugs from a number of immunoglobulins strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

    Contraindications to the flu shot do not reduce its benefits.

    Some employers, concerned about the health of their own staff, force people to get a flu shot. Campaigning is often carried out in the form of an ultimatum, causing a completely adequate reaction of rejection. As a result, a conflict arises, which can be avoided by proper organization activities and showing real concern for the health of workers.

    Organization of immunization

    Vaccination against influenza is characterized by seasonality: it is best to get such a vaccination in September-October, so that by the beginning of the epidemic in December-January, effective immune protection has already been developed. If you miss the specified deadlines, immunization may be delayed. incubation period illness of the patient, when symptoms have not yet manifested themselves, but infection has already occurred.

    Immune protection is developed 10-15 days after the flu vaccine is administered. A full-fledged defense system will be formed no earlier than in 21 days. Until this point, disease prevention should be carried out.

    You can get a flu vaccine for free or for a fee. In the first case, the vaccine is purchased at budget resources. Free help provided in the field of education: flu vaccinations are given to students and teachers; in clinics, at some enterprises, if the administration pays for the purchase of the drug at its own expense.

    Vaccinations are paid for in private medical centers. If the district clinic does not provide such a service to all citizens free of charge, you can give a free injection with a drug purchased independently at a pharmacy, but difficulties are possible: the medical staff refuses to use a vaccine of “unknown etiology”, because it is very sensitive to environmental conditions, and if storage conditions are violated, it loses its properties. Even transporting the drug from the pharmacy to the clinic should be in a thermos, which ensures constant temperature regime within + 2 ... + 8ºС.

    In emergency cases (during an epidemic, during treatment lightning-fast forms diseases) against influenza are vaccinated passively through the administration of drugs that already contain the corresponding antibodies obtained from donated blood: anti-influenza immunoglobulin or normal human immunoglobulin.

    When working with a risk of infection with the influenza virus, it is safer to get vaccinated, because Although it does not guarantee absolute protection, it prepares the body to fight the disease, significantly reducing the risk of complications after it. Negative influence The virus can manifest itself in the form of otitis, rhinitis or sinusitis, as well as in the form of pneumonia, pericarditis, myocarditis and even stroke.

    When is vaccination required?

    In addition to workers employed in the field of education, citizens and workers are required to get a flu vaccine:

    1. on lands where the situation with regard to infections common to both people and animals is considered unfavorable. It's about about the following types of activities:
    • a – associated with soil movement:
    • - agricultural;
    • — irrigation and drainage;
    • — construction;
    • b – procurement;
    • c – commercial;
    • g – geological;
    • d – exploration;
    • e – expeditionary;
    • е - deratization and disinfestation;
    • g - related to logging, improvement and clearing of forests, recreational areas;
    • h – in organizations whose area of ​​interest is the procurement, storage and processing of raw materials and livestock products, as well as agricultural products;
    • and – maintenance and care of animals and livestock farms;
  • slaughter, infected with viruses, common to people and animals, and processing of its meat and meat products;
  • catching and subsequent keeping of stray animals;
  • service sewer networks, related facilities and equipment;
  • contact with:
    • infected people;
    • live cultures of infectious agents;
    • human blood and biological fluids.

    The above list is formulated in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 15, 1999 No. 825. The main purpose of the document is to protect workers whose activities involve high risk infection with infectious diseases.

    Important: If the employer’s field of activity falls under the jurisdiction of the specified document, then refusal to vaccinate is a legal reason to remove the employee from work, which can result in non-payment for idle days or dismissal. During epidemics in the education sector in the absence of necessary vaccinations has the right not even to enroll in the staff. In other cases, any sanctions for refusing to get vaccinated against influenza are illegal.

    How to legally refuse vaccination

    Influenza vaccination, even at an enterprise of any level of secrecy, should involve a doctor and a nurse with Required documents, incl. ID card and relevant certificates.

    Before administering the vaccine, the doctor is obliged to examine the patient, clarify the medical history and make sure there are no contraindications:

    • allergic reactions to egg white;
    • pronounced negative reactions for the introduction of such a vaccine (high - over 40ºC - temperature, convulsions, skin rashes);
    • Guillain-Barré syndrome, expressed in a partial attack nervous system immune, which developed within 6 weeks after the previous administration of the vaccine;
    • ARVI or acute respiratory infections with which the patient is sick at the time of vaccination, or if the person had them less than a month ago;
    • chronic diseases of the lungs, bronchi, and upper respiratory tract;
    • immunodeficiency conditions caused, incl. and taking special medications;
    • malignant neoplasms.

    Important: In conditions of vaccination on the employer’s premises, as a rule, there are no medical records employees, which may indicate contraindications to the procedure. If the refusal to immunize is justified, either get a card from the clinic’s reception desk, or get a medical exemption from your local physician.

    You can try to refuse the procedure if you have:

    • diseases of the endocrine or nervous systems characterized by a chronic course;
    • problems with the kidneys or adrenal glands;
    • asthma;
    • anemia;
    • hypertension;
    • heart failure;
    • pregnancy.

    Problems like this don't count absolute contraindications for vaccination, but require additional consultation with a specialized specialist, who must give an opinion on the possibility of immunization.

    If, despite the presence of contraindications, the company is forced to vaccinate, the employee has the right to write a refusal to be vaccinated against the virus. Doctors do not have the right to vaccinate without the patient’s written consent.

    Important: During the period when Rospotrebnadzor announced an epidemic or established quarantine, unvaccinated citizens legally are not allowed into the team, which is tantamount to removal. The employer has the right not to pay for missed days.

    Contraindications to the flu shot do not reduce its benefits. The threat of influenza: how to resist a viral infection
    Should you get a flu shot?
    Flu and preventive vaccination against it Fever after flu shot - first aid for baby Should an adult get a flu vaccine - pros and cons

    Influenza is a disease that is recorded annually with the onset of the cold season. The risk of infection is high for frail people with low immunity, pregnant women, young children and patients with chronic diseases. It is for these categories of the population that influenza vaccines are being developed. Timely administration avoids infection, and in case of illness, transfer to mild form without complications.

    For routine prevention of influenza, two types of vaccines are used today: preparations with live but weakened viruses and inactivated preparations in which there is no live virus.

    Vaccines with killed viruses, in turn, are divided into three subtypes: with the whole dead virus, split or containing only the outer shell of the virus. Currently, live vaccines are used extremely rarely.

    How is the flu vaccine administered?

    It depends on which drug is used and for which category of patients:

    • A flu shot with a weakened live virus is sprayed into the nasal passages.
    • The neutralized vaccine is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly by injection. The injection is given in the shoulder or subscapular area (in adults). The method of administration depends on the drug itself and what its effect should be. Intramuscular injection allows the drug to enter the blood faster, while the subcutaneous one works more slowly, allowing the body to gradually recognize the virus and begin to fight it.

    When receiving a vaccine, there are some side effects that you need to be prepared for. When using a splin vaccine with a neutralized virus and some additives, local reactions may be observed - swelling and pain at the injection site. Preparations with whole cell virus cause a slight increase in temperature and swelling at the injection site. A live vaccine can raise body temperature to significant degrees, but this period is short-lived (one to two days).

    If you have received a routine vaccination, then immune cells The body is already on alert and instantly reacts to the penetration of the influenza virus, beginning to neutralize it.

    This is facilitated by antibodies produced after contact with live or killed virus from the vaccine. The patient's immunity lasts up to 6 months. Even taking into account the variability and mutations of the influenza pathogen, such a vaccination significantly reduces the likelihood of severe influenza and its complications. The vaccine is effective only for one season and is subsequently destroyed in the blood.

    Who needs a flu vaccine and when?

    This is especially important for the following categories of patients:

    1. Children under one year old.
    2. Children with diseases of the central nervous system.
    3. Persons with chronic diseases kidneys, liver, heart or lungs.
    4. Old people.
    5. Pregnant women.
    6. Patients who have suffered or have heart defects.

    Doctors recommend that people who, due to their professional activity contact with a large team: medical workers, kindergarten teachers, teachers, trade workers. For them, the risk of infection is high. It is advisable for women planning a pregnancy to take care of their health. Previously acquired influenza is especially dangerous in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, and therefore it is advisable to undergo preventive influenza vaccination.

    Is vaccination necessary if it was done last year? For the most part, the vaccine's effect wears off within 12 months, so last year's shot may not protect against a new outbreak. In addition, every year doctors develop new line-up vaccines based on which virus causes the disease. As for the manufacturer of the drug, there is no need to change it if last year's vaccination was successful. Every year, the composition of the vaccine (killed viruses) is the same for all foreign and domestic manufacturers.

    Timely vaccination among children prevents the spread of the virus in children's groups, and in children under 3 years of age it minimizes possible complications. It will be especially effective if at least half of the children in the group are vaccinated. This will not only give personal protection, but also general immunity. It is especially important to vaccinate the following children:

    1. To those suffering frequent colds.
    2. Those with chronic diseases respiratory system(asthma).
    3. Children with heart defects.
    4. Having a metabolic disorder (with diabetes mellitus).
    5. In immunodeficiency conditions or treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system.
    6. With diseases of the blood, liver and kidneys.

    You may come across the opinion that weakened and young children should not be vaccinated against influenza due to the additional burden on immune system. This view is erroneous for several reasons.

    • The vaccine is not given during an acute illness, when elevated temperature and availability allergic reaction. In this regard, vaccination does not affect the course of the disease and does not slow down recovery.
    • Vaccinations that contain proteins are mainly dangerous for children. chicken egg.
    • If complications arise after last year's vaccination, the child will not be given a new vaccination.

    If parents have doubts about the advisability of influenza vaccination, they can discuss this with their pediatrician, as well as undergo additional examinations and tests. Children under 1 year of age and patients who have never had the flu before are vaccinated twice to obtain lasting immunity. For the remaining categories, one injection of the vaccine is recommended.

    The advisability of influenza vaccination for adults

    Unlike ARVI, influenza is a dangerous disease due to acute course, as well as those complications that are common with this viral infection. If the patient has a weakened immune system or has chronic diseases, he becomes especially vulnerable and is recommended to additionally protect himself from the flu with an annual vaccination.

    The most common complication of influenza is pneumonia, deadly for elderly patients, as well as those who have diseases of the respiratory system. They are the categories of the population who are strongly recommended to undergo preventive vaccination. It is advisable to vaccinate all employees of child care institutions, doctors, transport workers and pregnant women.

    Regarding the compatibility of pregnancy and vaccinations, there is anecdotal evidence about the dangers of such vaccination. It is the vaccination that gives necessary protection not only for the expectant mother, but also for the fetus. If a woman suffers from the flu, especially severe before 14 weeks, there is a very high probability of giving birth to a child with pathologies and serious disabilities. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers also be vaccinated. The vaccination is not dangerous for the woman and will not harm the child.

    Despite the many positive points provided by influenza vaccination, this vaccination has both pros and cons. Doctors' opinions and traditional healers There is often disagreement on this issue. Parents are also ambivalent about the need to protect their children from this viral infection with annual vaccinations. General practitioners and pharmacists who offer this or that vaccine can explain the situation.

    Both pediatricians and family doctors, observing the elderly, weakened and with chronic illnesses sick. Although vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee that such patients will not get sick, it is most likely mild course flu Which will not lead to an exacerbation of severe chronic diseases. Pediatric doctors often recommend vaccination in kindergartens and schools. In this case, both personal and collective immunity are developed.

    Those experts who find disadvantages of this vaccination are against the vaccine. Firstly, even with active work The international surveillance system for the influenza virus does not guarantee that the vaccine will carry the exact strain that will spread in a given season. IN best case scenario in such a situation, vaccination will be useless. However, this opinion can be partially refuted. Even if the epidemic is associated with another virus, they all have some common elements, which increases immunity against influenza.

    Are there possible side effects from the flu vaccine?

    The most common side effects are high temperature and general feeling unwell observed when using drugs with live viruses. Many patients ask the question: is there a risk of getting sick after getting a flu shot? Pharmacists can answer: even live vaccine contains a virus that is unable to reproduce, therefore, there is no likelihood of illness.

    Some patients may experience an allergic reaction or post-vaccination complications to a vaccine containing impurities. In this regard, split vaccines, which consist of a split safe virus and do not contain chicken egg white, are considered the gold standard.

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    Flu vaccination - Dr. Komarovsky School

    Do I need to get a flu shot? - Doctor Komarovsky

    Flu is acute viral infection, accompanied by a pronounced general infectious syndrome with damage to the respiratory tract. Flu is quite dangerous infectious disease- V developed countries Every year about 30-40 thousand people die from influenza and its complications.

    The causative agent of the influenza virus is of three independent types: A, B, C. The danger lies in the fact that the influenza virus constantly mutates, changing its antigenic structure, which leads to the emergence of qualitatively new varieties of the influenza virus, to which the population does not have developed immunity.

    Flu is transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person. Everyone is susceptible to the flu age groups population.

    Influenza type A has the character of epidemics and pandemics, instantly spreading over vast territories. Influenza type B spreads locally, and isolated outbreaks have been recorded. Influenza type C causes sporadic outbreaks of infection.

    In people vaccinated against influenza, the infection is mild and without complications. Specific prevention carried out by inactivated and live vaccines, which are prepared from those strains of the virus that are recommended by WHO. Currently, normal human immunoglobulin is used in double dosage.

    Children over 3 years of age are subject to flu vaccination with domestically produced vaccines - order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 375 dated December 18, 1997. Licensed imported vaccines are used from 6 or 12 months of age.

    Maximum antibodies are formed 2 weeks after vaccination. Immunity is short-term (6-12 months) and depends on the type of virus, so vaccination should be carried out annually. If a vaccinated person becomes infected with a different type of influenza virus, the disease will develop in a milder form. Vaccination should end before the start of the epidemic season, but can be carried out during it.

    Flu vaccines

    • Live vaccines- are made from influenza virus strains that are safe for humans. Live influenza vaccines can produce local immunity with intranasal administration. Vaccination is carried out in the pre-epidemic period. Persons over 16 years of age are vaccinated with a single dose of 0.25 ml in each nasal passage using a dispenser spray. Children are vaccinated twice with an interval of 3-4 weeks, also 0.25 ml in each nasal passage:
      • Purified live dry allantoic influenza vaccine for intrapartum administration to adults (Russia);
      • Purified live dry allantoic influenza vaccine for intrapartum administration to children 3-14 years old (Russia).
    • Inactivated whole virion vaccines intended for persons over 7 years of age and are purified and concentrated influenza virus, which is grown on ten-day chicken embryos, after which it is inactivated by formaldehyde and UV radiation. Children and adolescents are vaccinated intranasally twice with an interval of 3-4 weeks, 0.25 ml in each nasal passage. Adults - according to the same scheme, intranasally, or once subcutaneously into the upper outer surface of the shoulder in a dose of 0.5 ml. Vaccination is carried out annually in the autumn-winter period:
      • Inactivated eluate-centrifuge liquid vaccine;
      • Inactivated influenza liquid centrifuge vaccine A(H 1 N 1), A(HN), B;
      • Inactivated influenza chromatographic liquid vaccine.
    • Subunit and split vaccines(stored at 2-8 degrees):
      • Grippol(Russia) - highly purified protein preparation, containing surface antigens of influenza viruses. Children from 3 years of age, adolescents and adults are vaccinated. Grippol is administered once subcutaneously in a dose of 0.5 ml in the upper third outer surface shoulder;
      • Agrippal S1(Germany) - intended primarily for persons with severe chronic diseases. Administered intramuscularly to children over 3 years of age and adults in a single dose of 0.5 ml; Children aged six months to 3 years half the adult dose. Children who have not been previously vaccinated are vaccinated twice with an interval of 4 weeks;
      • Begrivak(Germany) - contains 15 mcg of hemagglutinin from current influenza virus strains. The vaccination regimen is similar to Agrippal;
      • Vaxigrip(France) - contains 15 mcg of hemagglutinins in one dose. The injection is given subcutaneously or intramuscularly to children aged six months to 9 years, if they have not previously had the flu and have not been vaccinated. Vaccination is two-fold with an interval of 1 month in a standard dose (children under 3 years old - 0.25 ml; from 3 to 9 years old - 0.5 ml). Children over 9 years old are vaccinated once at a dose of 0.5 ml;
      • Influvac(Netherlands) - the vaccine consists of surface antigens of influenza A and B viruses, completely devoid of its other components, and uses merthiolate as a preservative. Adults and adolescents over 14 years of age are vaccinated with a single dose of 0.5 ml; children aged from six months to 3 years - 0.25 ml; 3-14 years - 0.5 ml. Those who have not previously been vaccinated and have not had the flu are vaccinated twice with an interval of 4 weeks;
      • Fluarix(England) - children over 1 year of age and adults with serious chronic pathology. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Children over 6 years of age and adults are vaccinated with a single dose of 0.5 ml; children under 6 years of age twice with an interval of 4-6 weeks with a dose of 0.25 ml.

    Complications and vaccine reactions

    Live vaccines are weakly reactogenic and therefore rarely cause complications. The most common reactions: 2% of vaccinated people may experience temperatures above 37.5 degrees in the first three days. A short-term increase in temperature above 37.5 degrees is allowed with subcutaneous administration of whole-cell vaccines; infiltrates of up to 5 cm may occur at the injection site. With intranasal administration low-grade fever last no more than 3 days. Subunit and split vaccines do not cause local or systemic reactions.

    Contraindications for flu vaccination

    • presence of allergies to chicken proteins;
    • presence of allergies to aminoglycosides (for vaccines containing them);
    • the presence of an allergic reaction to the administration of any influenza vaccine;
    • Availability acute diseases or chronic diseases during the period of exacerbation;
    • the presence of progressive diseases of the nervous system.

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