The issue of vaccination of children is acute in our country. With the development of information technology, modern parents of babies have the opportunity to receive a variety of information about the advisability of vaccinating their crumbs. Unfortunately, in most cases, the information obtained in this way is unreliable, distorted, which leads to an unreasonable refusal to vaccinate. Even more protest is caused by vaccinations, which are recommended for general implementation in a situation of the spread of the disease. Thus, unscheduled vaccination against polio led to serious confrontations between supporters and opponents of vaccinations. In our article, we will try to explain in an accessible way why immunization is carried out, what are the risks.
Vaccination schedule
Despite the various concerns of parents of toddlers, doctors recommend vaccinating a child against polio as early as possible. Yes, the firstvaccination according to the calendar approved by the Ministry of He alth is assigned to a three-month-old child. The next vaccination is carried out 45 days after the previous one. And the last - at six months from birth. Then revaccination is required at 18 months and 14 years. Such a schedule of vaccinations against polio allows you to develop strong immunity to the virus.
When are children extra vaccinated?
In some cases, unscheduled vaccination against polio is carried out. This is happening:
- if it is impossible to confirm the fact of vaccination of the child;
- before visiting countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation;
- when cases of "wild" poliomyelitis are recorded in the country of residence.
History of the vaccine
Polio was a dangerous and incurable disease just a few decades ago. There was a high mortality rate among patients. Only in the twentieth century, the American scientist Jonas Salk created a vaccine against such a disease. Children were first vaccinated with an inactivated solution in 1954. But, unfortunately, the experiment was unsuccessful - a large percentage of schoolchildren who were injected with polio showed symptoms of infection with the virus, and deaths were recorded. After this incident, the vaccine was banned from use.
The next attempt to develop a polio vaccine was made in 1957 by scientist Albert Sabin. He created an oral drug based on a live virus. Tests have proven relative safety and high efficiencyof this polio prophylaxis. In 1963, the oral vaccine began to be used in most countries of the world. But the results obtained indicated the insufficient effectiveness of the drug based on live virus. In addition, cases of serious complications have been officially recorded after the OPV (vaccine) was introduced. This fact caused a great public outcry. After that, this drug was banned for use in most developed countries of the world.
Types of vaccines
Despite the fact that numerous studies have proven the negative impact of immunization drugs on the human body, the disease itself is no less dangerous. Therefore, universal vaccination was not canceled, but a specific polio vaccination schedule was developed. At the same time, in different countries it differs not only in the timing, but also in the types of drugs used.
Today, vaccines based on inactivated and live virus are used. Each of these types has advantages and disadvantages (more details below).
Vaccination against polio in different countries
In developed countries, routine vaccinations, as well as unscheduled vaccination against polio, are carried out exclusively with an inactivated drug. In the CIS countries, babies who are 3 and 4, 5 months old are vaccinated in this way. from birth. At the third stage of immunization (at 6 months), as well as in all subsequent revaccinations, a preparation based on a live virus is used.
In Africanthe continent and in Asia, live vaccination is still carried out exclusively. This is due to the fact that such a drug is much cheaper than an inactivated analogue.
Benefits of OPV
Oral vaccine is a vaccine made from live but laboratory-attenuated polio virus. In addition, such a remedy necessarily includes antibiotics to prevent the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. What is the mechanism of action of this vaccine? In fact, after taking the drug inside, a person becomes infected with polio. But due to the fact that the virus is weakened, it does not pose a he alth hazard.
However, such a vaccine has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the following facts:
- painless administration (in many countries, the required amount of the drug is still dripped onto a sugar cube and offered to children);
- OPV (vaccine) is combined, that is, it protects against three types of strains of polio;
- live virus drugs are much cheaper to produce than IPV;
- oral vaccine induces not only humoral immunity, but also tissue immunity, which cannot be achieved with an inactivated drug.
Flaws
Has also disadvantages of OPV (vaccine). You can specify the following:
- As a result of the fact that the drug is made on the basis of a live virus, there is a risk of a real infection with a paralytic form of polio. SuchA complication after vaccination is called a vaccine-associated disease (VAP). This condition is caused by strains of polio that are components of the immunization preparation. Usually cases of VAP occur as a result of incorrect dosage of the vaccine, as well as incorrect conditions for its storage and transportation. Individual sensitivity to the components of the drug cannot be ruled out.
- It is not recommended to vaccinate a child against polio with an oral vaccine if there is a pregnant woman or other unvaccinated child in the immediate environment of the baby, as well as persons with a weakened immune system. This carries the risk of infection with the virus for these categories of people.
- Despite manufacturers' beliefs, live vaccines are much more likely to cause adverse reactions than IPV.
- It is important to clarify the composition of such a drug: it includes 3 types of virus strains, 2 antibiotics ("Streptomycin" and "Neomycin") and formaldehyde as a preservative.
IPV vaccine
When asked which polio vaccine is safer, most will answer that it is inactivated. And to a certain extent this is true. The undoubted advantage of IPV is the impossibility of developing VAP, since the composition of the inactivated preparation does not contain live viruses, which are the source of infection. Also, as a result of the fact that "non-live" strains of the virus are used, the risk of post-vaccination complications and adverse reactions is reduced.
But nevertheless, the composition of the drug alsoincludes preservatives and antibiotics. In addition, the disadvantages of IPV include the impossibility of collective immunization, as well as the lack of formation of tissue local protection. The latter factor significantly reduces the effectiveness of polio vaccination, since the main routes of transmission of the viral disease are food, water and household.
This immunization is carried out by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in the thigh, under the shoulder blade, in the shoulder.
Names of vaccines
In our country, the OPV monovaccine "Polio oral" is currently used. The inactivated virus is used in drugs such as:
- "Imovax Polio".
- "Infanrix".
- "DTP".
- "Pentaxim".
- "Tetracoke".
All of the above, except "Imovax Polio", are multicomponent vaccines, that is, those that form protection against several viral diseases, in particular polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae.
Possible adverse reactions and complications
It is worth noting that serious complications occur extremely rarely and more often in people with immunodeficiency or congenital disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in case of non-compliance with vaccination rules. According to statistics, there is an increase in adverse reactions in the case when large-scale unscheduled vaccination against polio is carried out. It is in this situation that most oftenthe facts of improper storage and transportation of the drug, incorrect dosage calculations and other violations are recorded.
What side effects can occur after vaccination? The most dangerous complication is the development of VAP after inoculation with a "live" virus.
Common adverse reactions following polio immunization with OPV and IPV vaccines are:
- increase in temperature (up to 38 degrees) after vaccination;
- allergic reactions;
- breaking stool.
In most cases, all these symptoms do not require special treatment and disappear on their own in 1-2 days. But if the baby is worried about such complaints for a long period, or there is a deterioration in the condition of a small patient, it is urgent to seek medical help. Also, you should immediately go to the hospital if you notice symptoms such as cough, runny nose against the background of fever, as well as convulsions, lethargy, vomiting, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Should children be vaccinated against polio?
This issue worries not only young parents, but also the world's research scientists. Failure to vaccinate will lead to a massive epidemic of the disease. We must not forget that the consequences of polio can be the most adverse. The most common complications of this disease are: meningitis, limb deformity, developmental arrest, CNS disorders (including paralysis). In addition, the virus is transmittedairborne and food ways, which means that it is impossible to protect the baby from infection. It turns out that the only way to prevent this disease is immunization, despite the existing low risks of adverse reactions. Do not refuse such an event as an unscheduled vaccination against polio. Such a measure is carried out solely for the purpose of preventing the disease.
Contraindications
When is vaccination not recommended? The main contraindications are as follows:
- chronic or infectious disease in the acute stage;
- neurological complications from previous vaccination;
- immunodeficiency;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Vaccination against polio: vaccination rules
In order to reduce the existing risks of developing complications after vaccination, as well as to increase the effectiveness of vaccination, some recommendations should be followed:
- must have a medical check-up before immunization;
- do not eat or drink one hour before and one hour after OPV vaccination;
- month after vaccination it is not recommended to increase physical activity or change the diet;
- should avoid heavy fatty and sugary foods (nursing moms also need to review their diet);
- after vaccination (1-2 weeks) it is recommended to avoid crowded places.
Should my child be vaccinated against polio? On thatthere is no single answer to the question - in any case, there are certain risks. When making a decision, it should be remembered that this disease is extremely dangerous. Complications after infection with a "wild" virus can be very serious, up to disability and death.
