The population is faced with influenza epidemics every year. Compared with the symptoms of other common acute respiratory diseases, the symptoms of the disease are among the most severe. Recently, many are interested in methods that will help protect themselves and prevent the development of the disease. Among the available options, grafting is not the last. Experts say that the Ultrix vaccine can significantly increase the body's resistance to attacks by pathogenic pathogens.
General description of the vaccine
"Ultrix" is an inactivated solution, which contains several strains of influenza viruses cultured on chicken proteins: A / H1N1, A / H3N2 and B. One dose contains 15 μg of hemagglutinin of each type of virus. According to the official instructions, merthiolate (preservative) is sometimes used as an auxiliary substance. The composition of the vaccine changes every year and contains mutated viruses from several previous years, which helps protect the body from an "unfamiliar" infection.
Large-scale clinicalstudies have proven the effectiveness of the drug. A feature of the vaccine is the presence of pseudoviral particles in the composition, which stimulate the production of immunity at the cellular level. This provides longer protection against the influenza pathogen. The Ultrix influenza vaccine (manufactured by Microgen, Russia) is available in syringes and ampoules containing a colorless liquid (0.5 ml).
Who should get vaccinated?
According to the manufacturer's recommendations, vaccination with the product is indicated for persons at risk:
- Children (from 6 years old).
- People with frequent acute respiratory infections.
- Employees of medical institutions, kindergartens, schools, universities.
- Patients with diseases of the endocrine system, heart.
- Persons over 60.
- Patients with somatic pathologies.
Influenza is a particularly contagious viral disease, and infection occurs even with short-term contact with the patient. Every year, a huge number of people suffer from this disease and various complications: pneumonia, meningitis, otitis, encephalitis.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection with the virus. Doctors advise to carry out the procedure every year, but at the same time, vaccination is not mandatory and is done purely at will.
Flaws of the procedure
Influenza vaccines have been created for more than half a century, and the composition of drugs is improved every year. Despite this, vaccination does not provide complete protection against the virus.gives. A person, even after it, can get sick, and in some cases the disease is severe. The Ultrix influenza vaccine is only valid for 12 months. According to experts, it provides good protection for the body, but after a while, vaccination should be repeated.
Many patients are concerned about the presence of preservatives in vaccines. This fact often becomes the main reason for refusal to vaccinate, especially when it comes to a child. To avoid the negative consequences of the vaccine, you should first consult your doctor, find out contraindications to the procedure.
Ultrix (vaccine): instructions
Manufacturer recommends vaccinating annually to protect against severe influenza virus and further complications. The procedure must be carried out in the autumn-winter period. Also, vaccination will be effective at the beginning of the exacerbation of the epidemiological situation.
If the integrity or labeling is violated, the syringe is considered defective and cannot be used to administer the drug. You should also pay special attention to the liquid for injection itself. Normally, it should be transparent, and the appearance of sediment, color indicates non-compliance with storage conditions and expiration dates. Before the manipulation itself, it is necessary to shake the contents of the syringe and remove the air by slowly pressing the piston.
The procedure is carried out under strict antiseptic conditions. Before opening, the ampoule with the vaccine is wiped with a cotton swab dipped in ethyl alcohol.(70%). After opening the ampoule, the solution is drawn into a new syringe and the remaining air is removed. The injection site (the upper third of the outer surface of the shoulder) is treated with an antiseptic, after which the injection itself is given.
Vaccinating children with the Ultrix vaccine
The need to vaccinate children against the flu is questioned not only by most parents, but also by some experts. The inactivated Ultrix vaccine is used in pediatrics, but only for children over 6 years of age. You must first undergo an examination and exclude all contraindications for manipulation.
Whether or not a child should be vaccinated against the influenza virus should be decided by parents only. If the baby does not attend educational institutions (kindergarten, general education or sports school), then perhaps the manipulation should be postponed to the next year. The procedure is recommended for children who go to school and are prone to frequent colds.
Contraindications
The vaccine can be administered only if the patient is he althy, he does not show signs of SARS, colds, flu. Before manipulation, body temperature should be measured, and if the figure is above 37 ° C, it is forbidden to vaccinate.
The vaccine is contraindicated if the patient has a history of allergic reactions to previous vaccinations. The patient may have an individual intolerance to chicken protein or other components of the product. Influenza vaccination should be postponed for some time in case of exacerbation of chronic diseases. Vaccination during lactation is unacceptable.
Do I need a flu shot?
Even immunologists and virologists themselves do not have an unequivocal opinion on the need for vaccination against influenza. On the one hand, the procedure allows at least for a short time to protect the body from a serious illness, on the other hand, there is a risk of side effects.
The advantage of vaccination is a significant reduction in the number of infections. If infection with the virus did occur, the Ultrix flu vaccine will help to transfer the disease much easier. In some situations, the disease can even proceed in a latent form. Vaccination has shown good results - the death rate from influenza and its complications has decreased significantly.
Could there be complications?
Behind the refusal of vaccination in most cases lies the fear of the development of side effects and deterioration of he alth. The manufacturer of the Ultrix vaccine warns that such a situation is possible. After vaccination, an allergic response of the immune system to the components of the drug may occur. Most often there is redness and swelling at the injection site. Within a day after the procedure, the local reaction should pass.
Some patients experienced side effects in the form of symptoms of infection with the influenza virus on the next day after the manipulation. Parents should be aware that when the baby's body temperature rises,weakness after vaccination should seek medical attention (emergency or ambulance).
Ultrix during pregnancy
According to the instructions, studies on the effect of vaccine components on the course of pregnancy and fetal development have not been conducted. Doctors recommend getting vaccinated during pregnancy planning. In the first 12 weeks, the laying of vital organs in the baby occurs, so it is extremely dangerous and undesirable to administer the vaccine. There are situations, for example, a high risk of infection, when the introduction of an influenza vaccine is possible from the second trimester. In this case, only inactivated vaccine is allowed.
At the same time, experts say that the risk of developing any abnormalities in the fetus, even after vaccination at the initial stage of pregnancy, is practically zero, but influenza infection can lead to severe deformities and anomalies. In any case, the need for vaccination should be determined by the attending physician.
What is the difference between Ultrix and Grippol vaccines?
Currently, there is a wide choice of means for vaccination against influenza, both domestic and imported. The Ultrix vaccine contains both internal and surface antigens of influenza A and B viruses, making it one of the most effective. No less effective is the Grippol vaccine, which is produced in Russia and Uzbekistan. The composition of the solution for injection is somewhat different and, in addition to strains of the influenza virus, contains polyoxidonium. The substance has a powerful detoxifying and immunomodulatoryaction.
Which vaccine would be better - "Ultrix" or "Grippol" - the attending physician should decide. It should be borne in mind that "Grippol" can be used to vaccinate babies from 6 months. Also, clinical studies have shown that the drug is absolutely safe for women in position. Vaccination is carried out only in vaccination rooms. After the procedure itself, the specialist must monitor the patient's condition for half an hour.
Expert Opinion
During the aggravation of the influenza epidemic, more and more people are beginning to think about the need for vaccination. Indeed, vaccination can, if not completely protect against the disease, then significantly reduce the severity of the disease. The Ultrix flu vaccine has proven itself on the positive side and is popular with both doctors and patients. The composition of the drug is selected so that the consequences of the application are minimized and do not cause adverse reactions.
When deciding to be vaccinated, you should first undergo an examination, exclude the presence of contraindications to a certain remedy. The Ultrix vaccine for vaccination can be used annually. The developers are constantly improving the composition, which allows you to get protection against the most common strains of the influenza virus.
