What is the name of the meningitis vaccine? Measures to prevent meningitis. Vaccination against meningococcal infection: characteristics of drugs

Risks serious consequences and death. The greatest danger is posed by purulent forms of the disease. They cause inflammation of the brain. Is there a vaccine for this disease? Is it always easier to carry out prevention than to treat later? How to avoid infection?

Is there a vaccine against meningitis?

To find out whether there is a vaccine for meningitis, you need to understand the types of the disease. It is caused by various pathogens: both bacteria and viruses. various types. In all cases, the disease develops quickly, literally in a few days. The exception is tuberculosis form. Its course is slower. Particularly common are purulent forms with air- by drip infections caused by the following types of pathogens:

meningococci;
pneumococci;
Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Is vaccination against meningitis required?

In Russia, there is no such vaccine in the national calendar, and free immunization is carried out only in a few cases:

During an epidemic, if the incidence rate reaches 20 children per hundred thousand people.
In a group where a child with a suspected disease is found, all contacts must be vaccinated within a week.
Regions where the incidence rate is high are targeted for immunization.
Mandatory vaccination of children with immunodeficiency.

In eighty countries around the world, immunization against Haemophilus influenzae is considered mandatory. In these countries, the incidence rate has been reduced to almost 0%. It begins at the age of 2-3 months with a short interval, three times, together with DPT and polio. Vaccination against meningitis is recommended by the World Health Organization for all children. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you can get vaccinated at your own expense.

Vaccination against meningitis for adults

The risk of morbidity in adults is much lower, but this possibility cannot be excluded. This means that a meningitis vaccine for adults is required in certain cases, at:

high incidence rate in the region;
removed spleen;
anatomical defects of the skull;
AIDS and other types of immunodeficiency;
women during pregnancy, when the risk of infection is higher than the risk of harm from the vaccine.

What is the meningitis vaccine called?

Due to the diverse nature of infection, there is no one a certain drug to prevent this disease. The meningitis vaccination, the name of which may be included in the name of the vaccine complex, can be prepared in various compositions, because in order to protect your body from pathogenic microorganisms, you need a whole range of drugs.

The ACT-HIB vaccine of foreign origin is widespread in the CIS countries. It does not consist of a microbe, but of its components. This means that there are no viable infectious agents in the product. The drug is available in powder form, which is diluted with a special solvent. ACT-HIB is also used together with other vaccines, mixing them, to reduce the number of injections.

Meningitis vaccines - list

From bacterial species There are several drugs available for the disease. Purulent forms can be caused by several types of bacteria, as mentioned above. The following drugs are used to prevent such diseases:

Vaccine against hemophilus influenzae infection. This is ACT-HIB, which was mentioned above.
A drug for meningococcal infection. This type affects people regardless of age, but most often it affects children under 1 year of age. There are domestic and foreign analogues.
PNEUMO-23 and Prevenar protect the body from penetration pneumococcal infection. 20-30% of total number bacterial forms of the disease are caused by these microorganisms. The method of transmission is airborne.

An excellent bonus is the body’s protection from acute respiratory infections. Another form is viral. It is considered milder and is caused in 75-80% of cases by enterovirus infection. Vaccination against viral meningitis is a mandatory childhood vaccination, according to the calendar. It includes vaccines against measles, rubella, mumps, and influenza.

Reaction to meningitis vaccine

In general, the meningitis vaccine is well tolerated. Infrequently, after the administration of the drugs discussed above, local reactions occur. These are redness, thickening, painful sensations at the injection site. There is also a slight increase in body temperature. Within 1-3 days everything unpleasant symptoms pass. You should remember the main contraindications to vaccination:

others spicy inflammatory processes;
allergic reactions to previously introduced similar components.

Vaccination against meningitis - consequences

If we talk about the consequences, they are more dangerous in case of illness. Vaccination against meningitis and pneumonia, on the contrary, was created to avoid them. Diseases of unvaccinated children have severe forms. It is not easy to fight them, so it is better to opt for prevention. If the reaction to the vaccination does not go away or turns out to be stronger, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.

How long does the meningitis vaccine last?

Immunization creates lasting protection against infection that lasts for long years. To strengthen immunity against the disease, it is necessary to carry out revaccination on time. Haemophilus influenzae vaccination is done three times, with an interval of 1.5 months, starting at the age of 3 months. Menigococcal vaccination is carried out once and forms immunity in children for at least 2 years, in adults – for 10 years. Revaccination every three years is recommended.

Vaccination against otitis, meningitis and pneumonia or pneumococcal is used in two types PNEUMO-23 (from two years of age) and Prevenar (from 2 months). Immunization has different schemes, which is due to the age of the vaccinated person. For the smallest children, the drug is administered three times every 1.5 months. Revaccination is carried out at the age of 11-15 months. After six months, double administration is used with a one and a half month interval. Revaccination is also recommended at the age of 1-2 years. For adults and children over 2 years of age, a single dose is sufficient.

A single vaccination against this serious and dangerous disease no, because meningitis is caused by different pathogens - both bacteria and viruses. The most dangerous meningitis bacterial(they are also called purulent). A child can actually be protected from some of them by vaccination, but these vaccinations are not included in the national (free) vaccination schedule. Most common reasons purulent meningitis There are three types of bacteria - hemophilus influenzae type B, meningococci And pneumococci.

Vaccination against meningitis for children: Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae infection (Hib infection) is caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B. It can cause purulent meningitis, pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), as well as purulent lesion the whole body - sepsis.

Haemophilus influenzae infection is characterized by severe course and complications. It is easily transmitted by airborne droplets when talking, sneezing, coughing, especially among children under 5-6 years old. In some of them, this microorganism may not cause disease, but remains living in the nasopharynx (these are healthy carriers). Such children will be a source of infection for others who may develop severe illness.

The most severe form of Haemophilus influenzae infection is purulent meningitis . According to some data, in Russia, in children under 6 years of age, up to a third of all cases of purulent meningitis are caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Signs of meningitis in children

The disease begins with high temperature (up to 39-40 degrees C), chills, fever, and severe malaise of the child. Sometimes there is unusual drowsiness, headache, vomit. In children under 1 year of age, the equivalent is loud crying (due to headache) and bulging fontanel. These symptoms are due to increased intracranial pressure due to inflammation of the membranes of the brain.

Symptoms increase over several days, and the condition becomes extremely severe. The disease can occur as isolated meningitis or with damage to other organs (joints, lungs), and sepsis may develop. Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is difficult to treat because its causative agent produces enzymes that make it resistant to antibiotics (about 20-30% of Haemophilus influenzae bacilli isolated from patients are not sensitive to many antibiotics). Therefore, treatment results are not always successful, and mortality in severe forms of the disease can reach 16–20%. A third of patients who have had hemophilic meningitis develop irreversible neurological complications - seizures, delayed neuropsychic development, deafness, blindness, etc.

Pneumonia , caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B, occurs mainly in children from 2 to 8 years of age, and its course in 60% of cases also has various complications, including from the heart and lungs. Up to half of all cases are associated with hemophilus influenzae infection purulent infections ear, throat, nose, in particular, recurrent purulent otitis (inflammation of the ear) and sinusitis (inflammation paranasal sinuses nose), as well as frequent acute respiratory diseases in children.

IN last years It became known that sensitivity to this microbe is increased in children with chronic bronchopulmonary pathology and bronchial asthma provoked by infections. Due to the severity of the current, the diversity clinical manifestations Due to the large number of complications, high mortality and insufficient effectiveness of treatment for hemophilus influenzae infection, a program for its prevention through vaccinations was developed.

Should children be vaccinated against meningitis? Based on recommendations World Organization Public health vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is recommended for all children. This immunization is carried out in more than eighty countries around the world, and in countries with mandatory vaccination, hemophilus influenzae infection has been practically eliminated. The effectiveness of vaccination is estimated at 95-100%. In Russia, this vaccination is not included in the routine vaccination calendar. One of the reasons is the high cost of foreign vaccines registered in our country and the lack (currently) domestic analogues. However, given the danger of meningitis to life and health, parents should think about vaccinating their child against this infection.

Meningitis vaccination schedule

Children from birth to three months are protected from hemophilus influenzae infection thanks to maternal antibodies (if the mother has encountered this infection in her life), which then disappear. From 1.5 to 3 years of age, when a child encounters this infection, he independently begins to produce antibodies, and by the age of five to six years, most children are completely protected, and hemophilus influenzae infection develops in them much less frequently, mainly in immunodeficiency states. Therefore, the stage when a child is most defenseless against infection, and therefore especially needs vaccination, is the age from 2-3 months. up to 5 years.

In addition, these vaccinations, regardless of age, are given to all patients with immunodeficiency states: after transplant bone marrow, after removal of the spleen, thymus gland, as well as those who received treatment for cancer, AIDS patients, patients with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases. The immunization schedule depends on the age at which it is started.

In countries where vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is mandatory, it begins to be given from 2-3 months of age, three times, with an interval of 1-2 months, together with DTP vaccines (against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus) and polio. Revaccination (fixing vaccination), as well as DTP, is carried out once 12 months after the third vaccination.

If children receive vaccination from 6 to 12 months of life, it is enough to administer two injections at intervals of 1-2 months with revaccination 12 months after the second vaccination. When starting vaccination, children over 1 year of age and adults suffering from immunodeficiency conditions are vaccinated once. Immunity lasts for a long time. Revaccinations for patients in this age group are carried out only in cases of immunodeficiency. They are vaccinated once every 5 years.

Composition of the meningitis vaccine

A foreign vaccine has been registered (approved for use) in Russia ACT - HIB. It does not contain the entire microbe, but only its individual components - sections of the cell wall. The drug does not contain a preservative or antibiotics and is a dry substance, which before injection is diluted with a solvent attached to the vaccine and administered intramuscularly (into the thigh - for children under 18 months, into the shoulder - after 18 months) in a dose of 0.5 ml .

Combination with all vaccines (except BCG) and immunoglobulin is possible. It is allowed to dilute the vaccine ACT-HIB vaccine TETRACOK(a foreign combined vaccine against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and polio), rather than a solvent and administered in one syringe, which reduces the number of injections during vaccination. Vaccine ACT - HIB well tolerated.

Post-vaccination local reactions (usual, normal) in the form of pain, swelling and redness occur in no more than 10% of vaccinated people. Post-vaccination general reactions are rare - in 1-5% of vaccinated people - and manifest themselves in the form of short-term malaise, irritability or drowsiness, as well as a slight increase in body temperature.

With repeated and joint vaccinations with DTP, the number and intensity of general and local reactions does not increase. Complications in the form of allergic reactions are extremely rare. A temporary contraindication to vaccination, as to all other vaccinations, is an acute infection or exacerbation of a chronic disease. In this case, the vaccination is carried out 2-4 weeks after recovery. Permanent contraindication - severe allergic reaction on the components of the drug and complications that arose after the previous administration.

“Bonus” for health: after vaccination against meningitis, children are less likely to get acute respiratory infections

One interesting and important fact was noted: in those vaccinated with the hemophilus influenzae vaccine, the incidence of acute respiratory infections decreases. The discovery of this property of the drug led to additional practical advice: vaccinate long-term and frequently ill children attending child care institutions once. Vaccinations against hemophilus influenzae in our country can only be carried out in paid offices and commercial vaccination centers, but the indications for immunization must be known to parents so that they can decide on additional vaccination for their child.

Vaccination against meningococcal infection

Another cause of purulent meningitis is meningococci. This is a large group of pathogens that cause more than 60% of meningitis in children and adults. They, in turn, are also divided into a number of groups - A, B, C, W135, Y, etc. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person.

The range of clinical manifestations of meningococcal infection is very wide. Just like with hemophilus influenzae, its source is not only a patient with meningococcal meningitis, but also carriers of this microorganism (there are about 5%, but carriage is mostly short-term, unlike hemophilus influenzae infection), as well as those who are sick mild form infection that looks like an acute respiratory illness.

Meningococcal infection affects people of all ages (both children and adults), but the main group consists of children under 1 year old, or more precisely, the first half of the year (3-6 months). The youngest members of the family often become infected from older children or adults.

Epidemics (large outbreaks) of meningococcal meningitis are usually caused by group A meningococcus. Periodic increases in incidence occur every 10-12 years. In Russia, the current incidence is sporadic (single), and not epidemic in nature and is caused predominantly (almost 80%) by group B meningococcus.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 300,000 cases of meningococcal meningitis are registered annually worldwide. Of these, 30,000 were deaths. In Russia, mortality among adults is 12%, among children – 9%. Meningococcus can infect various organs- pharynx, nose, lungs, heart, joints, and not just the membranes of the brain. Damage to the entire body may occur - blood poisoning (sepsis). Meningococcal infection is characterized by high fever, severe headache and repeated vomiting.

Main hallmark- the appearance of a star-shaped small hemorrhagic rash (hemorrhages in the skin, small dots and “stars”, while if you stretch the skin near the rash element, then the rash, unlike others, does not hemorrhagic species, will not disappear).

The rash begins to appear on the abdomen, buttocks, heels, legs and spreads throughout the body in a matter of hours. Meningococcal infection is characterized by rapid progression. There are so-called lightning forms infection, in which from the onset of the first symptoms ( high fever) less than a day passes before death.

Composition of vaccines against meningitis

Currently, vaccines against meningococcus subgroups A, C, W135, Y, etc. are being produced in the world. The vaccine against meningococcus group B has been developed by a number of foreign companies, and is currently undergoing large-scale pre-licensing trials. Our country produces domestic vaccines MENINGOCOCCAL A And A+C; and also registered foreign analogues from various manufacturers: MENINGO A+S. All of these are polysaccharide vaccines, that is, those that contain polysaccharides from the cell wall of meningococcus, and not the entire microbe. These preparations do not contain preservatives or antibiotics.

Immunization schedules for meningitis

Vaccines against meningococcus are recommended for administration to people in areas of infection, as well as for routine use in children over 18 months, adolescents and adults living in areas with high incidence rates or traveling to such regions. Also, vaccination against meningococcal infection is necessary (according to WHO recommendations) for mass vaccination during epidemics caused by meningococci of groups A and C. Domestic vaccines - MENINGOCOCCAL A, A+C- used from 18 months, and also administered to adolescents and adults. These drugs can also be administered to children under 18 months of age if there is a sick person in the family, or depending on the epidemic situation in the region, but this measure does not create long-term, lasting immunity, and vaccination must be repeated after 18 months.

The vaccine is administered once, subcutaneously under the shoulder blade or in the upper third of the shoulder. Children from 1 to 8 years old - 0.25 ml of the dissolved drug, and older children and adults - 0.5 ml. Vaccine MENINGO A+S administered to children over 2 years of age and adults, 0.5 ml once, subcutaneously under the shoulder blade or in the upper third of the shoulder. Children from 6 months. You can use this vaccine if there is a sick person in the family, but the effectiveness will be less high and repeated vaccinations will be required. Six-month-old babies, if they are taken to an area dangerous for meningococcal meningitis, must be vaccinated no later than two weeks before departure so that immunity has time to develop. Children over 6 years of age and adults can be vaccinated immediately before departure. Children vaccinated before 2 years of age are given a second dose after 3 months and then given another vaccination - once after 3 years. When vaccinating children over 2 years of age, the effectiveness of vaccination reaches 85-95%, and after 3 years a single revaccination is recommended to maintain immunity. In adults, after a single immunization, protection lasts for 10 years.

In regions where the incidence of meningococcal meningitis is episodic, there are groups of children and adults who must receive this vaccination. These are patients with a removed spleen, with immunodeficiencies, including AIDS patients, and people with anatomical defects of the skull. In the presence of high risk Even pregnant women are vaccinated. There are no permanent contraindications for vaccination. Temporary - the same as for hemophilus influenza vaccination.

The body's response to vaccination

Vaccines against meningococcal disease are well tolerated. In 25% of vaccinated people, a post-vaccination local reaction is possible in the form of soreness and redness of the skin at the injection site. Sometimes there is a slight increase in temperature, which normalizes after 24 to 36 hours. These vaccines are not required for routine immunization in our country, but you need to know about them, especially for those parents whose child is at high risk of developing meningococcal infection, or those who are planning a vacation in countries with unfavorable conditions for the spread of this infection. In such situations, it is necessary to think about vaccination in advance. It is necessary to remember about the possibility of such protection even if the child has been in contact with a patient with meningococcal infection.

Vaccination against pneumococcal infection

The third large group of microbes that cause purulent meningitis are pneumococci. They are also causative agents of severe pneumonia, joint damage, purulent otitis. Pneumococci are transmitted by airborne droplets from people who are sick various forms pneumococcal infection and its carriers. Young children, patients with immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV infection, and people over 65 years of age are most susceptible to the disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for up to 50% of all pneumonia. As a result of this disease, several segments or lobes of the lung are affected, and the entire organ as a whole may be affected - the so-called lobar pneumonia. Often these problems are accompanied by damage to the pleura (pleurisy). In the structure of bacterial meningitis, pneumococcus accounts for 20-30%. Purulent pneumococcal meningitis has common features with other bacterial meningitis, but is distinguished by its frequent combination with pneumonia, cardiac complications and the severity of residual conditions, such as mental development, deafness, etc. Lately All larger number pneumococci become insensitive to antibiotics, which complicates treatment and makes it more expensive.

Vaccine

Immunization has become an important factor in the prevention of pneumococcal infection. One foreign company is registered in Russia pneumococcal vaccine: PNEUMO 23. This drug contains polysaccharides cell walls The 23 most common subtypes of pneumococcus.

Vaccination scheme

Vaccination is carried out for children from 2 years of age and adults, once, in an amount of 0.5 ml, subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Immunization is indicated for all children who are often ill respiratory infections, especially with repeated bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial mucosa), pneumonia (pneumonia), otitis (ear inflammation), as well as chronic diseases leading to decreased immunity, and with immunodeficiency states. When vaccinating patients with immunodeficiency, it is recommended to repeat the vaccination once every 5 years.

Separately, it should be said about the need for routine vaccination of patients with chronic diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, liver, kidneys, diabetes mellitus, oncological processes, including after bone marrow transplantation, removal of the spleen, infected with HIV, since this category of children and adults can be extremely severe course fatal infections. It is important to note that the vaccine PNEUMO 23, as well as ACT-HIB reduces frequency respiratory diseases and therefore is indicated for frequently ill children attending child care institutions. If necessary, even pregnant women in the last trimester are vaccinated (if there was contact with a patient with a severe form of infection, and the risk of infection for the fetus, as well as the risk of infection for the woman, is significantly higher than the risk of complications from vaccination).

The body's response to vaccination

A small number of vaccinated people (3-5%) develop post-vaccination local reactions - redness, soreness, induration. General post-vaccination reactions also occur rarely and are characterized by fever, headache, and sometimes rash. Complications of the vaccine process are common allergic ones. Temporary contraindications to vaccination are common - acute diseases and exacerbations chronic illnesses. In this case, as with other vaccinations, the vaccination should be done no earlier than 2-4 weeks after recovery. Permanent contraindications to this vaccination are severe allergic reactions to the components of the vaccine or complications that arose after the administration of the previous dose of the drug. Vaccination against pneumococcus can be carried out at the request of the patient or the child’s parents in paid offices and commercial vaccination centers.

Thus, all three vaccines protect the child from bacterial meningitis and from a number of other diseases. They cannot be called cheap, but the cost of treating the disease is much more expensive, not to mention the price possible consequences when a child dies or becomes disabled. The most important task of parents is the health of the baby; first of all, they are responsible for the child’s condition, so they need to know about all the possibilities of modern preventive medicine.

Immunoglobulin is a drug made from the blood of a person who has been ill or vaccinated against a particular infection and has developed antibodies- protective proteins against infectious agents.

Polysaccharides – common name carbohydrates; are structural elements various fabrics.

“Vaccinations: on the issue of safety” No. 4 2004

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Meningitis is severe infectious diseases, characterized by a complex course, and a fatal outcome cannot be ruled out if I get help in time medical care. Most often the disease affects people with weak immunity, including children, the elderly, cancer patients, and carriers HIV infection. It's not surprising that many parents are wondering whether the meningitis vaccine is as effective as they say. In this article we will talk in detail about what the meningitis vaccination for children is, its pros and cons, what they are, and who can get it and who can’t.

Meningococcal infection can be caused by any pathogen, be it a virus, fungi or bacteria. Symptoms of the disease can even be caused by severe injury heads.

There are three pathogens to be wary of:

meningococci – just over 50% of cases;
Haemophilus influenzae type b – observed in 39% of patients;
pneumococci - about 2%.

To prevent the above pathogens from causing primary and secondary severe purulent meningitis, vaccinations against meningitis are given. Primary meningitis is considered the most dangerous, in which it immediately flows from its localization site (nose or pharynx) to the brain, easily overcoming the blood-brain barrier and provoking an inflammatory process.

The primary symptoms of meningitis are similar to common cold, which makes diagnosing the disease much more difficult. After infection, the body temperature increases, a sharp headache, nausea and even vomiting occurs. IN in some cases A hemorrhagic rash forms on the skin.

If children are not vaccinated against meningitis on time, this can cause cerebral edema, as well as the transformation of the disease into secondary encephalitis. As a result, meningoencephalitis appears, accompanied by neurological symptoms. They can hold on very long period time after recovery, which quite often leads to disability of the patient.

The highest danger is posed by a brain abscess, which appears as a result of secondary bacterial meningitis resulting from abnormalities of the ENT organs. Such processes stimulate the development of cerebral edema, which will require not only drug therapy, but also the operation.

Such arguments should also dampen the debate about whether to get vaccinated against meningitis.

Vaccination schedule and methods of vaccine administration

Babies during breastfeeding are not susceptible to hemophilus influenzae infection, because the necessary antibodies enter their bodies along with their mother's milk. Therefore, up to a year old, babies begin to receive vaccinations after 3 months, in accordance with the vaccination schedule.

The number of vaccinations given depends on the age at which the first one is given.

If the first vaccination is given at 3 months, then a total of three vaccinations will be needed with an interval of one and a half months. Revaccination will be required in one and a half years. In this case, injections are often combined with DTP vaccine and Tetracoccus.

If the first injection was given at 6 months, then only 2 vaccinations will be needed every one and a half months. The vaccination is valid for a certain time, so revaccination will need to be done after 1 year.

Children over one year of age, as well as people suffering from immunodeficiency, are vaccinated once.

Using the example of a vaccine, it will be as follows: at 3, 4.5, 6 months, and revaccination at 18 months.

If the drug Pneumo-23 was chosen as the vaccine, then the injection is given once to a child who has reached 2 years of age.

Vaccination against meningitis is performed in the thigh or shoulder muscle. The drug has good tolerability, while it is able to provide a reliable barrier against Haemophilus influenzae infection.

Where is vaccination against meningitis carried out?

IN large quantities In civilized countries, vaccination against meningitis is carried out in mandatory, which made it possible to almost completely get rid of the infection. According to the National Vaccination Calendar of the Russian Federation, due to its high cost, vaccination against meningitis is not mandatory.

Due to this free vaccinations against meningitis are done only in a number of the following cases:

During an epidemic, when for every 100,000 people at least a fifth of people become ill.
If a child staying in a group is suspected of having meningitis. In this case, all children in contact with this child must be vaccinated.
If permanent place The patient’s residence is in a region characterized by a high degree of morbidity.
The child was diagnosed with severe immunodeficiency.

In all other circumstances, parents or patients are required to purchase the vaccine themselves.

Types of Vaccines

When trying to find a particular meningitis vaccine on the Internet, many may encounter a variety of them. The most common are: Menactra, Prevenar, Acwy, Meningo and others. A single vaccine that can protect against any meningitis has not yet been developed. Even the meningococcal vaccine is not capable of this.

Those who want to protect themselves from all pathogens must vaccinate themselves with three vaccines:

meningococcal;
haemophilus influenzae;
pneumococcal.

Vaccines against meningococci

Vaccination against meningococcal infection comes in A, C, W-135, Y subgroups, among which you can purchase in Russia:

Meningococcal vaccine (manufactured in Russia). Provides protection against meningococcal infection of serotypes A and C, but does not protect against purulent meningococcal infection. It can be used from 1.5 years, but after 3 years revaccination will be needed.
Meningo A+C (country of production – France). Protects the body from damage by cerebrospinal meningitis. Popular among adults and children over 1.5 years of age.
Mencevax ACWY (made in Belgium). The vaccine reduces the chance of meningococcal infection caused by meningococci of serogroups A, C, W, Y. The drug can be vaccinated for adults, as well as children over 2 years of age.
Menactra (imported from the USA). Vaccination makes it possible to create immunity to pathogens of serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Vaccination is allowed for children from 2 years of age, as well as adults up to 55 years of age.

Vaccinations are sold in dry form, which are mixed with liquid before injection. Administration is carried out subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine

Vaccination of ACT and Hib, which is permitted in Russia, can prevent the body from becoming infected with Haemophilus influenzae. Russian Federation.

The vaccine against meningitis A consists of fragments of the walls of the pathogen and is sold in powder form. Right before administering the meningitis vaccine, it is combined with the required vaccine liquid component. Tetracoccus, created for the development of immune system in children to whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tetanus.

This vaccination is also given intramuscularly in the thigh or shoulder. The drug does not cause complications and provides reliable protection then hemophilic infection.

Vaccines against pneumococcal meningitis

In Russia, the following vaccination against otitis media, meningitis and pneumonia can be carried out:

Pneumo 23 (French production). This vaccination for meningitis and pneumonia can be prescribed to children over 2 years of age to create a strong immune system for 10 years.
Prevenar 13. Such vaccinations, after which meningococcal infection will not be scary, are prescribed to children from 2 months to 5 years. To develop immunity for life, you will need to take 4 injections. Children on the list of frequently ill patients can receive the vaccine free of charge.

Possible adverse reactions

As a rule, vaccination against meningitis is tolerated without complications. However, some patients may experience the following side effects after the injection:

Malaise.
The appearance of painful swelling and redness at the injection site.
Extremely rare – fever.
An acute allergic reaction with swelling of the mouth, interruptions in breathing, tachycardia, shortness of breath, urticaria and pale skin.
The deterioration of chronic diseases is possible.

In most cases meningococcal vaccination does not cause such negative manifestations, which could not be solved drug treatment. However, if an allergy occurs, the patient should consume antihistamines, and if the symptoms become more severe, you may need to call an ambulance.

Who is eligible for vaccination?

In general, children are vaccinated against meningitis only epidemic indications- this is what Order No. 51n of the Russian Ministry of Health of January 31, 2011 prescribes. This means that the list mandatory vaccinations Meningococcal vaccination is not included. According to regulatory documents The need for vaccination arises only in places where outbreaks of the disease have been recorded.

However, there are a number of exceptions to the general rules:

If parents have expressed a desire to vaccinate their baby at their own expense.
In cases of deterioration of the epidemiological situation - if more than 20 cases of the disease are registered per 100,000 children, then universal immunization is carried out.
If there is a suspicion of meningitis, the entire team is subject to vaccination child care facility, who had contact with the child for the next 5-10 days. As a rule, vaccinations are given to all children aged 1 to 8 years who live near an infected person.
All children who live in regions with an unfavorable epidemiological situation, or if they plan to move to such areas, are subject to immunization.
All children preschool age(1.5-2 years), if they attend a nursery, they are required to receive vaccinations against meningitis.
Children with immunodeficiency are subject to mandatory vaccination against meningitis.

The question of the optimal age for vaccination against meningitis remains open, since there are different opinions. A number of pediatricians say that the vaccine will not be able to provide stable immunity against meningitis for up to 2 years. Therefore, if it was nevertheless done, then it must be repeated 3 months after the initial vaccination, and then at 3 years old the vaccination should be done again.

When vaccination is contraindicated

Vaccinations against meningitis are given and healthy people, and those who have a mild form of the disease.

The following conditions are contraindications to vaccination:

respiratory diseases in acute stage accompanied by high temperature;
allergic reaction to vaccination against other infections;
chronic diseases in the acute stage.

Meningococcus is the bacterium that causes meningococcal infections. Its forms are poorly sensitive to antibiotics, so they are difficult to treat. Optimal method prevention is vaccination.

Vaccination against meningococcal infection will protect your child from this sinister disease! Meningococcal infection - acute contagious disease, which has an aerosol transmission route. It is characterized by the following symptoms: fever, intoxication, rash that occurs against the background purulent inflammation membranes of the brain.

If we consider that the mortality rate for meningitis reaches 30%, and disability reaches 50%, the need for prevention becomes obvious, namely, the importance of vaccination against meningococcal infection, especially in childhood. One of the three types of vaccines presented on the country's market today will help in the formation of active immunity against this terrible disease.

Modern combined bacteriological preparations provide long periods of active immunity – up to 10 years! Contraindications and adverse reactions vaccines are minimal. Samuel Butler stated: “Vaccination is a medical sacrament - the analogue of baptism.”

The disease develops after meningococcus, the causative agent, enters the body. The disease is prone to epidemics. It is characterized in different forms: naso-pharyngitis, meningococcemia, inflammation meninges and other organs.

The severity of the disease lies not so much in its acute course, as in the occurrence of many complications, including disability and death. The most serious consequence– sepsis. It is characterized by an outpouring of blood into the adrenal glands, lightning-fast development and a fatal ending.

Complications after past illness may be like this:

paresis;
paralysis;
changes in the psyche and intellect;
intracranial hypertension.

The causative agent of the disease spreads by aerosol from person to person. This disease has not been recorded in animals, and there is no data on infection from them.

Data on the epidemic situation

Meningitis infections usually appear as sporadic (single) outbreaks, sometimes in small, limited areas. According to WHO experts, “... this endemic situation can result in devastating, unpredictable epidemics.”

For example, the following cases are known:

epidemic in Africa (1000 cases of disease per 100,000 population);
epidemic in West Africa in 1996 (250,000 cases, 25,000 deaths).

Every year, 500,000 cases of infection are registered in the world, with 50,000 cases of infection leading to death. IN developed countries the mortality rate of meningococcal diseases is 5 - 10%, in Africa - 10%, mortality with fulminant septicemia - 15 - 20%.

Vaccination against meningococci

Vaccination against meningococcal disease is not necessary. However, knowing the consequences of this terrible disease, many parents are wondering whether it is possible to vaccinate their child against it and how to do it.

You can and should protect your baby from meningitis. This can only be done through vaccination. It is important to know that there are many places in the world with epidemics of meningitis (the African belt). Quite massive surges in incidence are observed in Canada, France, and the USA. Children are the most vulnerable to this disease.

The effectiveness of vaccinations against meningococcal infection has been repeatedly proven in various medical scientific, practical, and clinical developments. It assessed studies in sites where active immunization was carried out. For example, in the United States, during the surge in infection, 36,000 vaccinations were administered to people 2–29 years old. The effectiveness of the procedure, studied using the case-control method, was 85%, and in children 2–5 years old it was 93%.

Vaccination is done once. Its effectiveness is 90%, formation immune defense occurs within 5 days and persists for 3-5 years.

Vaccination with polysaccharide preparations causes the rapid appearance of antibodies that protect children for about two years, adults - 10 years. Revaccination is carried out every three years. Modern generation– conjugated bacterial preparations – unlike old polysaccharide ones, they retain protection for about ten years and at the same time form immune memory. Today, many clinics offer meningococcal immunization services.

Indications for vaccination against meningococcus

For the purpose of self-protection, to form active acquired immunity, to reduce carriage, during epidemics, WHO recommends the use of polysaccharide bacterial preparations A and C. They are administered to children over 2 years of age from the risk category.

The following persons are also at risk:

contacted with infected meningococci serotypes A, C, Y, W 135;
patients with deficiency or absence of factor P of the complement system (reduced immunity);
patients with congenital or acquired anomaly of the spleen, its absence;
persons with hearing prostheses;
persons traveling to areas disadvantaged by meningo infection;
specialists from research institutes and laboratories in contact with meningococcal flora;
students of schools, technical schools, colleges, universities living in dormitories;
conscripts and recruits.

The use of type C conjugate vaccine in Europe has caused a sharp decline incidence of meningitis C. England, Spain, Holland and some other countries have included this vaccination in the routine immunization calendar.

Meningococcal vaccine

The vaccine against meningococcal infection, which has been used for immunization for more than 30 years, is a polysaccharide vaccine. Drugs in this group may be as follows:

2-valent (fractions A and C);
3-valent (fractions A, C, W);
4-valent (fractions A, C, Y, W 135);

Conjugate vaccines against serological groups A, C, Y, W 135 have been available for approximately 18 years. New drugs are superior to polysaccharide analogues in power, duration of preservation and rate of formation of active acquired immunity.

Against meningococcus serological group B, universal protein bacteriological vaccines are under development. The production of polysaccharide preparations aimed at combating microorganisms of fraction B is cumbersome. The reason is the striking similarity of antigens bacterial preparation and polysaccharides nerve tissue in humans.

The main vaccines presented on the country's market today are: meningo A+C (indicated for children over 2 years of age); meningococcal A and A+C (from 18 months); meningo-ASW, mentsevax, menactra (from 9 months of the child’s life).

Contraindications to vaccination against meningitis

Obviously, vaccination is necessary for children, since meningococcal infection is especially dangerous for them. Vaccination may be contraindicated in the following cases:

elevated temperature (from low-grade fever to fever);
acute infection;
allergic manifestations to previous administration of the vaccine or its components;
progressive chronic diseases.

In some cases, even with elevated temperature and burdened allergic history Vaccinations are carried out because lives are at stake. The question of the advisability of vaccination can only be decided with a doctor - this must be remembered.

Side effects after meningococcal vaccination

Usually, after vaccination against meningitis, there are no complications. After vaccination by injection, 25% of children experience adverse reactions, and parents should be aware of this.

Mild pain, redness of the skin around the circumference of the injection do not require special treatment. The increase in temperature to low-grade levels is short-term, the child’s condition returns to normal the very next day. In this case, there is no need to stuff the baby with antipyretic drugs.

Conclusion

Meningococcal infections are conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Even with timely detection and early treatment The mortality rate of the disease reaches 30%, and 50% of patients experience disability. Before the era of antimicrobial drugs, the mortality rate of meningitis remained at 70-85%.

Today, there is only one method of active protection - vaccination against meningococcal infection.

Modern combination vaccines can form protection within 5 days and protect a person for 10 years. Moreover, such drugs have minimal amount contraindications and adverse reactions.

Meningitis is very dangerous for a child, so you need to closely monitor your baby’s condition. The first signs of a severe disease may be:

IMPORTANT! At the first symptoms of meningitis in a child, you need to seek help from a doctor as quickly as possible, since the first signs of the disease are easier to cure than complicated meningitis.

If you do not react in time, the child may simply die!

Are children vaccinated against meningitis?

Vaccination against meningitis is not included in the standard list of vaccinations in the Russian Federation. In total, doctors note about 90 types of varieties of this disease on the planet, but fatal outcome can only give 15 of them, which is what affects up to 80% of children.

by airborne droplets, so no one can be protected from meningitis without vaccination. The vast majority of experts believe that a child should certainly be vaccinated against this serious disease. This will protect him from serious illness. The vaccine is especially needed if the child will go to kindergarten or attending large gatherings of children their own age.

Don't skimp on your child's health!

Much to our disappointment, the Ministry of Health of our country does not agree with this issue, since the vaccination against meningitis has not yet been mandatory. But this may soon change dramatically.

At what age should children be vaccinated?

Depending on your region of residence, vaccination period may vary greatly. In Russia, children are vaccinated against this terrible disease only at the age of two years, but in neighboring Ukraine, children are given the vaccine at the age of:

But at the age of 18 months they carry out revaccination. If the child is as active and friendly as possible, and not a homebody, then it is best to vaccinate him at the age of 1.5 years. This will strengthen his immunity to serious illness just at the moment when he begins to actively run and play.

Now you know at what age a child is vaccinated against meningitis.

Is a child under one year old vaccinated against meningitis?

This question is quite difficult to answer, because in reality there is it all depends not on the personal preferences of the doctor, but only on the type of vaccine used.

Some foreign drugs, past clinical researches allow children to be vaccinated, but most doctors do not recommend using the vaccine at this age because it will be pointless. The whole point is that mother's milk, which is fed to the baby, contains everything essential microelements, which allow you to protect and maintain the child’s immunity at the proper level.

Starting from the age of 1.5 years, the effect of this natural phenomenon disappears, so the child is left alone with viral diseases, it is precisely at this moment that we need to support his health with the help of a vaccine.

Where is it held?

Unfortunately, Children are not vaccinated against meningitis in regular clinics or hospitals.. For this purpose, there are special private clinics that specialize in this particular area of activity.

IMPORTANT! There is no need to choose a cheaper vaccine. The main thing is the child’s health, so it is best to agree to the option suggested by the attending physician.

Such private clinics can be found in almost every major city. You can find out more about them at the city hospital, where doctors will refer parents to the address.

How long does the action last?

Again, here it all depends on the vaccine itself. But, despite this fact, many experts recommend revaccination every three years.

The thing is that some drugs do not use as a basis the virus itself in small proportions, which is absorbed in the body, but the immune system finds an element of fight against this disease. Many drugs, on the contrary, are based on antibodies, which leave the body over time.

Possible side effects

Often, the vast majority of children tolerate meningitis vaccination stably and without any problems. visible consequences. Minor complications may occur, but they cannot compare with the severity of the disease itself.

Common complications include:

Fever.
Slight redness at the grafting sites.
Drowsiness.

This is a small price to pay for a healthy child.

Vaccine names and prices

Among the wide variety of meningitis vaccinations for children, in our country you can find only a few basic drugs that are used by private companies. The names of the vaccines are as follows:

Meningococcal vaccine produced Russian experts. The composition includes serogroups A and C, which allow you to develop immunity to meningococci. average price on the market it reaches 1400 rubles.
Vaccination “Meningo A + C” Made in France, so it is considered to be of higher quality. The main composition of serogroups A and C allows protection against cerebrospinal meningitis. Intended for children over 18 months. average cost reaches the mark of 2200 rubles.
“Mencevax ACWY” produced by a joint company from Belgium and the UK. Thanks to its serogroup components, ACWY allows the formation of bactericidal antibodies. Intended for children over two years old. The average cost is about 3,100 rubles.
"Menactra" It is produced by a company from the USA and is considered to be the highest quality today. It includes serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Allows you to actively produce antibodies to fight the disease. Recommended for use by children over two years of age and adults up to 55 years of age. The average cost on the market reaches 3,500 rubles.