Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease of the liver, in which about 15% of all recovered patients have a chronic form of the disease. The disease proceeds with multiple complications and can result in oncology and death. Hepatitis B vaccination is the only way to protect against infection. To do this, use various medical immunobiological preparations containing a solution of the immunogenic protein of the hepatitis B virus. Two weeks after vaccination, antibodies are produced in the human body. And after three injections of the vaccine, stable immunity is formed. Thus, the effects of the hepatitis B vaccine only take effect after the full course of immunization has been completed.
General information about hepatitis B
You can get infected and fall ill with this disease at any age. The main source of infection are virus carriers and individuals who have been diagnosed with this disease. Among the main ways of infection are:
- vertical - from mother to baby at birth;
- parenteral –various manipulations, including medical ones (injections, blood transfusions, the use of one syringe by drug addicts, etc.);
- sexual - unprotected act;
- in close contact in case of damaged areas of the body (abrasions, cracks, cuts).
It only takes about five milliliters of infected blood to cause infection. The virus has a long incubation period. Moreover, even in dried blood, its cells are able to maintain viability. Symptoms indicating disease:
- dermis and sclera turn yellow;
- itchy skin;
- disturbed by pain and heaviness in the liver;
- there is a pronounced intoxication, which is manifested by nausea, vomiting, fatigue and lack of sleep;
- euphoria develops from the side of the nervous system or, on the contrary, irritability, headache, lethargy appear.
These symptoms may bother the individual for several months. It is important to remember that once having entered the body, the virus will never leave it, i.e. hepatitis B is a chronic pathology. Ineffective therapy provokes the development of serious and dangerous complications. The only way to avoid this disease is vaccination. Should I be vaccinated against hepatitis B or not? Of course, the answer is yes. Vaccination is extremely necessary for both the adult population, previously not vaccinated, and small citizens. According to the laws in force in our country, each person decides on consent tovaccination on a voluntary basis. Since 2002, vaccination against this serious pathology has been considered mandatory and is included in the national vaccination schedule. According to statistics, the age category from 20 to 50 years is most susceptible to this disease, and after 55 it is almost impossible to get infected with this virus.
Risk group
Hepatitis B risk groups include:
- Medical workers of laboratories, dental institutions.
- Children born to mothers who carry the hepatitis B virus.
- Patients who are planning or undergoing blood transfusion or blood components, organ transplantation, diagnostic manipulations, operations.
- Citizens who inject drugs.
- Persons traveling to or living in areas where hepatitis B is endemic.
- Patients with chronic liver disease.
- Persons who have close contact with cases.
- Children permanently residing in boarding schools, orphanages or orphanages.
- Students of higher and secondary medical schools.
- Workers involved in the production of immunobiological preparations from placental and donated blood.
Vaccination of adults
Modern medical immunobiological preparations are obtained using genetic engineering. The pharmaceutical industry produces vaccines that allow the formation of strong immunity to the disease and have a high degree of safety.
Dosage is selected individually depending on age. In addition, there are combination drugs. Adults can be vaccinated against hepatitis B up to and including 55 years of age, provided that the individual did not have hepatitis B and was not vaccinated in infancy. There are several schemes for the administration of an immunobiological preparation, but in all cases the vaccine is administered repeatedly:
- Emergency. It is used when it is necessary to quickly develop immunity, for example, before surgery. The second injection is given seven days after the first, after 21 - the third, after 12 months - the fourth.
- Fast. Use when there is an increased risk of infection. A month later, the second vaccination is given, after two - the third, after 12 - the fourth.
- Standard. Recognized as the most effective and makes it possible to produce antibodies gradually. The second dose of the vaccine is given one month later, and the third dose six months later.
The last scheme is considered the main one. At the same time, after the first injection of the drug, immunity begins to form, which after the third vaccination reaches one hundred percent. It is important to complete the full course, since only in this case is complete protection against a dangerous virus achieved.
Contraindications in adults
Hepatitis B vaccination is not recommended for the following conditions in an individual:
- epilepsy;
- hydrocephalus;
- acute illness;
- severe allergic reaction after first dose of vaccine;
- individual yeast intolerance;
- primaryimmunodeficiency;
- multiple sclerosis;
- systemic diseases;
- diagnosed with hepatitis B;
- exacerbation of chronic pathology;
- for persons over 55;
- temperature;
- pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Thus, some contraindications are temporary.
Possible side effects
After vaccination against hepatitis B in adults, a small swelling and redness of the dermis forms at the injection site, which disappears without treatment. In addition, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- Temperature and headache appear when a low-quality vaccine is administered.
- Excessive sweating indicates the process of rejection of the antigen by the body. The formation of immunity begins.
- Allergic manifestations are relieved by tableted antihistamines, for example, Suprastin, Loratadine.
- Rarely, a gastrointestinal disorder occurs, which is associated with individual intolerance and is manifested by slight diarrhea, nausea.
- Muscle pain occurs in isolated cases and quickly passes.
Do not be afraid of the body's response, all of the above signs signal the formation of an immune response. How long does the hepatitis B vaccine last? Basically, immunity remains forever. According to WHO, active immunity lasts for eight years. Check antibody levels, if necessary, every fiveyears, having received a referral from the attending physician. With their decrease, revaccination is indicated in some cases, which is important for people at risk.
Children vaccinated
The very first contact with blood occurs during the delivery period. If the mother of the unborn baby is a carrier of the virus, then the risk of infection is 95 percent. The risk of infection exists during testing, on playgrounds, where used syringes may be lying around. And also in the presence of scratches, cuts or other lesions of the dermis. We must remember that a prosperous family is not a guarantee that the child will not get infected. To prevent the risk of infection, doctors recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis B at the maternity hospital. The scheme in this case will be as follows. The first injection is given 12 hours after the baby is born. A month later - the second, and the final - six months after the first. In some cases, the schedule of administration may be violated. This is mainly due to the illness of the baby. The most important thing is to maintain an acceptable interval. All the details of the introduction of an immunobiological preparation to a particular baby will be told by the attending doctor. There is another vaccination scheme for hepatitis B in newborns. It is used if:
- baby's mother is infected with the virus;
- baby was given a blood transfusion;
- baby had surgery;
- carried out parenteral manipulations.
In these cases, the vaccine is administered four times. The second - in a month, the third - in two, the fourth - in twelve. AfterImmunization in children forms strong immunity.
Contraindications for hepatitis B vaccination in both cases are:
- child's mother allergic reaction to yeast;
- past meningitis (in this case, vaccination is possible six months after recovery);
- symptoms of primary immunodeficiency;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- exacerbation of infectious diseases;
- strong response to previous vaccine administration;
- baby weighs less than two kilograms.
Side effect. Complications. Reviews
Side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine in children are mild redness and swelling at the injection site. A minor allergic reaction resolves after taking an antihistamine. Some babies have a fever, which is successfully removed by Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. On the day of the vaccination, the baby sleeps longer, is slightly weakened, and can be naughty. All symptoms disappear without a trace in a couple of days. Consequences as a result of the introduction of an immunobiological preparation are extremely rare. According to statistics, this is one case per hundred thousand. Fixed complications in the form:
- exacerbation of allergic reactions;
- anaphylactic shock;
- rashes;
- urticaria;
- erythema nodosum.
Currently, the production of vaccines is being improved and the amount of preservatives included in its composition is minimized, which makes it possible to significantlyreduce the development of adverse reactions.
Myths that hepatitis B vaccination in newborns causes neurological damage, leads to autoimmune pathologies or contributes to sudden death, are not officially confirmed by studies conducted by the World He alth Organization. In addition, it is impossible to get infected from a vaccine, since it contains only part of the outer shell of a dangerous virus in its composition and its action is aimed at the formation of stable immunity.
Why does a baby need a hepatitis B vaccine? Feedback and opinions of medical professionals are summarized as follows:
- Adverse reactions to the vaccine are rare, as the immunobiological preparation is constantly being improved.
- All babies born should be vaccinated.
- Early vaccination is the best way to prevent infection with this serious illness.
- A properly vaccinated child is immune for life.
- Vaccination is a must. She really protects the baby from a dangerous disease.
Parental feedback on hepatitis B vaccination is subjective and based on their general attitude to vaccination.
Modern technologies
High-quality medical immunobiological preparations are obtained from the genome of the hepatitis B virus, that is, they take the necessary gene from it and, using molecular biology, insert it into the genotype of a yeast cell, which subsequently produces its own and foreign proteins. Having receiveda sufficient amount of specific viral proteins, remove the nutrient medium and purify the proteins from impurities. Next, they are applied to aluminum hydroxide. Due to the fact that this substance does not dissolve in water, it gradually releases the viral protein, contributing to the formation of immunity. In a small amount, a preservative is also added to the vaccine. Thus, thanks to the latest technologies, immunobiological preparations are being created that are safe and allow creating stable immunity after their administration.
Angerix B (recombinant hepatitis B vaccine)
Vaccination against hepatitis B is provided to all populations that have not been previously vaccinated. Hepatitis B vaccination with this vaccine is indicated for the specific prevention of the disease in adults, adolescents and children.
Contraindications include allergic responses of the body to the components that make up the vaccine. The negative effects are negligible. Children under 16 years of age are given 0.5 milliliters, and adults - 1 milliliter. The vaccination schedule is determined by the doctor.
Bubo Kok
Combined immunobiological preparation. Its introduction in accordance with the approved scheme forms immunity against hepatitis B and three other serious diseases. The vaccine is indicated for use in children under four years of age. Possible side effects:
- during the first two days, weakness and fever;
- small swelling and redness at the injection site.
How many times you get vaccinated against hepatitis Bthis vaccine? Babies who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B by three months of age are given three injections at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. The intervals must be clearly observed. All the features of its introduction will be told by the attending doctor.
Bubo-M
This vaccine is designed to prevent hepatitis B in children over the age of six. Side effects are rare. Contraindications are similar to the previous drugs. The exception is that Bubo-M vaccination is allowed during pregnancy and immunodeficiency. An immunobiological preparation is used for:
- hepatitis B shots for children over six years of age who have not been previously vaccinated;
- revaccination.
Infanrix Hexa
This vaccine should not be taken with others. It is used in children under three years of age according to the standard scheme of administration. Of the side effects, the following are distinguished:
- short-term loss of consciousness;
- poor appetite;
- drowsy;
- temperature increase;
- edema;
- anaphylactic shock;
- children under the age of two can develop serious complications.
Contraindications include a disorder of the nervous system, blood diseases, SARS, a strong reaction after the first injection, individual sensitivity to the components of the vaccine.
Shanvak-B
The scheme of drug administration is determined by the doctor. The vaccine is compatible with other vaccinations and creates a strong specific immune response against hepatitis B. Introductioncontraindicated in the presence of viral or acute respiratory diseases and individual intolerance to some of the components of the drug. The reaction to the hepatitis B vaccine is manifested by an increase in temperature, activation of the liver, rashes on the dermis, fatigue and headache. In rare cases, anaphylactic shock may develop.
Vaccination delays
If an individual started immunization and for some reason did not complete it, then there is no need to talk about protection against hepatitis. The vaccination schedule is recommended. It is allowed to lengthen the interval between the administration of the drug, and shortening it leads to the formation of inadequate or unstable immunity, especially in children.
Vaccination against hepatitis B will bring the expected result with a full course of vaccination. In Russia, standards have been adopted that allow a complete scheme to be carried out anew. If an adult has passed more than five months after the first injection, and a child has more than three months, then the scheme is started again. If you follow international standards, it is allowed to have a second vaccination at any time, and a third one a month after it.
