Parents of babies are increasingly wondering about the need and expediency of routine vaccination for their children. We will talk about how the MMR vaccine is tolerated. Adults do not trust vaccine manufacturers, the quality of their production, compliance with the conditions of transportation and storage. In addition, the he alth of our children is impaired and weakened due to environmental factors - babies often suffer from allergic reactions, colds. Questions arise about how the child will tolerate vaccination, what kind of immune response will follow, and what the possible consequences for the baby's he alth are. Everything in order in our article.
What diseases are MMR vaccines against?
The MMR vaccine is a vaccine against diseases such as measles, mumps (popularly known as mumps) and rubella. Vaccination against these diseases can be carried out as part of a complex or monovaccine. Do children need protection from these diseases, why are they dangerous?
Measles is an infectious disease that is accompanied by a characteristic rash and fever. After about 5 days, the rash begins to decrease, the temperaturebody returns to normal. A short-term illness that goes away on its own - why is it dangerous for a child? The danger lies in the development of various serious complications: pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, eye damage and others. A feature of the spread of the disease is that upon contact with a sick person, an unvaccinated child becomes infected in almost 100% of cases. Given this fact, children are less and less vaccinated with MMR, the consequences were not long in coming - cases of the disease are increasing every year.
Rubella in childhood is easily tolerated, often even without an increase in body temperature. Symptoms of the disease are a small rash and swollen lymph nodes. But the disease poses a serious danger to a pregnant woman, namely to her fetus. If a girl was not vaccinated against rubella in childhood or did not get sick with it, then as an adult, she is at risk during pregnancy. Rubella disrupts the proper development of the fetus, often infection of the expectant mother leads to miscarriage or premature birth. At the birth of a child, serious malformations of the newborn are possible, often incompatible with life. Therefore, MMR vaccination is essential for girls.
Mumps affects the parotid salivary glands. There are headaches, a high temperature appears, up to 40 degrees, a swelling forms on the neck and in the ears. It is difficult for a child to chew, swallow. The following complications of mumps are possible: otitis, inflammation of the brain, boys often develop inflammation of the testicles (orchitis), which in the futurecan lead to infertility.
All of the above diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets and household routes, that is, every unvaccinated person can become infected, regardless of preventive measures.
How the MMR vaccine works
Vaccinate against diseases with the help of a complex or monovaccine. An immune response is produced in 92-97% of vaccinated people.
All preparations for MMR vaccination have a common feature - they contain live (weakened) pathogens. How does the MMR (vaccination) work? The instruction indicates direct infection of a person after the administration of the drug. But the vaccine provides for such a number of live microorganisms that all protective functions begin to work in the body, including the production of antibodies to pathogenic flora. A complete disease does not develop. However, various adverse reactions are possible. We will talk about them in more detail below.
What are MMR vaccines?
Today, in the CIS countries, the following drugs are used for vaccination of MMR:
Measles vaccine:
Russian-made L-16 drug. It is made on the basis of a quail egg, which is an advantage, since children often have an allergic reaction to chicken protein (namely, it is used in most foreign vaccines)
For mumps:
- The Russian live vaccine L-3, like the drug L-16, is made from quail eggs.
- Czech drug Pavivak.
For rubella:
- Rudivaxmade in France.
- Hervewax, England.
- Indian vaccine SII.
Complex vaccines:
- Russian drug for measles and mumps.
- Priorix is a Belgian-made PDA vaccine. Reviews about the drug are positive. It has won the trust of medical professionals and consumers. In private clinics for immunization against 3 diseases - measles, rubella and mumps - this particular vaccine is recommended as the safest and most effective.
- The Dutch MMP-II vaccine has a controversial reputation - there is an opinion that after vaccination with this drug, autism symptoms developed in children, but reliable verified information on this issue does not currently exist.
How is vaccination done?
Usually does not cause difficulties in carrying out the MMR vaccination. The reaction of the child during the introduction may manifest itself in the form of strong restless crying. Post-vaccination complications may appear only on the fifth day after vaccination. In order to minimize possible adverse reactions, the procedure must be carried out in compliance with all safety standards. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the vaccine should be unpacked immediately before the procedure. Dissolve the drug should only be a special solution that is attached to the vaccine.
Newborns are given in the thigh or shoulder area, older children - in the subscapular area, inoculation of the MDA. Complications that do not cause concern to he alth workers may include the following:possible pain, redness, swelling in the area of administration of the drug for two days. But if the above symptoms become pronounced and are accompanied by other adverse reactions, a pediatrician should be consulted.
Vaccination schedule
MMR vaccination is given to one-year-old babies, after which the immunization is repeated at 6 years of age. In some cases, for medical reasons, adults are also vaccinated. For example, a woman during pregnancy planning. It should be noted that the onset of conception should be planned at least 3 months after the MMR vaccination.
Vaccine is compatible with other immunization products: MMR can be administered concomitantly with Haemophilus influenzae, Hepatitis A, TMR, Tetanus, Polio vaccines.
Absolute contraindications for MMR vaccination
There are absolute and temporary contraindications to MMR vaccination. You will have to refuse immunization under the following conditions of the patient:
- congenital or acquired immunodeficiency;
- presence of cellular immunity defects;
- severe reactions to previous vaccinations;
- presence of an allergy to the components of the drug.
Temporary contraindications
In the event of temporary he alth problems in a vaccinated child or adult, MMR vaccination is carried out after complete recovery and restoration of the body's immune forces. Contraindications are as follows:
- taking corticosteroids, immunomodulating drugs, radio andchemotherapy;
- acute respiratory infections;
- exacerbations of chronic diseases;
- curable diseases of the circulatory system;
- kidney problems;
- fever and fever;
- pregnancy.
Common adverse reactions
Usually well tolerated by MMR (vaccination). Adverse reactions occur in 10% of cases. Some of the complications that arise are not of concern to doctors, they are part of the list of normal immune responses to the drug. It is important to remember that any reaction to the MMR vaccine may only occur from 4 to 15 days after the immunization. If any deviations in the he alth of a vaccinated person appeared earlier or later than the indicated dates, then they are in no way associated with the vaccination, with the exception of reddening of the injection site, which is observed in the first two days.
Common reactions after MMR vaccination include:
- temperature increase (up to 39 degrees);
- runny nose;
- cough;
- redness of the pharynx;
- enlarged parotid salivary glands and lymph nodes;
- allergic reactions: rash, hives (most often such reactions occur on the antibiotic "Neomycin" and the protein included in the drugs);
- women have post-vaccination complaints of muscle and joint pain. Such a reaction in children and men is noted only in 0.3% of cases.
Complications
Serious complications reportedafter MDA vaccination. Fortunately, they are rare, against the background of other disorders in the body. The reasons for the development of adverse reactions may be the patient's disease, poor-quality vaccine, improper use of the drug. Complications after MMR vaccination include:
- Convulsions that develop against a background of high temperature. With such a symptom, paracetamol antipyretic drugs are prescribed, and it is also recommended to undergo an examination by a neurologist to exclude the background development of damage to the nervous system.
- Post-vaccination brain damage (encephalitis). When deciding whether or not to vaccinate MMR, one should take into account that such a complication after vaccination is 1000 times less common than with a full infection with measles or rubella.
- After mumps vaccination or complex vaccination, which includes this disease, meningitis may develop in 1% of cases, while when the disease is transferred, this figure reaches 25%.
- Within 30 minutes after the MMR vaccination, a reaction in the form of anaphylactic shock is possible. Only the introduction of adrenaline will help save a life in such a situation. Therefore, do not self-medicate - contact a specialized public or private clinic for vaccination, and also follow all the doctor's instructions, including follow the reaction to the vaccination for half an hour within the walls of a medical institution. It is also necessary to consult a visiting nurse on the fifth and tenth day after vaccination.
- In extremely rare cases, thrombocytopenia has been reported –decrease in blood platelets.
Preparation for vaccination
In order to reduce the risk of developing various post-vaccination complications, it is necessary to conduct preliminary preparation for immunization. Such measures are especially important when vaccinating children. Follow these guidelines before your routine vaccinations:
- Do not introduce new foods into your child's diet. If the baby is breastfed, the nursing mother should also follow a regular diet.
- A few days before the proposed vaccination, it is necessary to pass a general blood and urine test to exclude hidden, sluggish diseases.
- Children who are prone to allergic reactions or have had such complications during previous vaccinations may be given antihistamines 2 days before vaccination and a few days after vaccination.
- Following a MMR vaccination, body temperature often rises to high levels. But, nevertheless, doctors do not recommend taking antipyretic drugs for preventive purposes. They are prescribed only for children with a predisposition to febrile convulsions. Take the medicine immediately after the vaccine is given.
- If your child is he althy and does not have an indication for taking drugs, for safety reasons, before vaccination, make sure that there are first aid medicines in the house - antipyretics (Nurofen, Panadol) and antihistamines, for example, " Suprastin.”
- Immediately before vaccination, the child should be examined by a pediatrician: measuretemperature, assess general he alth.
What to do after MMR vaccination?
Has the child been vaccinated with MMR? The reaction of the body can occur only on the 5th day. To minimize the occurrence of side effects, follow some tips. So, after vaccination, also do not let the child try new foods. In addition, exclude heavy food, you can not overfeed the baby. Increase your fluid intake.
In the first two days it is better to stay at home, as the body of the crumbs is weakened and easily susceptible to infection with various diseases. Limit contact with others for two weeks. Keep your baby away from hypothermia or overheating.
When should I call a doctor?
After vaccination, carefully monitor the baby's condition: regularly measure the temperature, observe his reactions, behavior, complaints. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- diarrhea;
- vomit;
- high fever that won't go down with antipyretics;
- temperature above 40 degrees;
- severe allergic reaction;
- swelling or hardening of the injection site greater than 3 cm in diameter, or suppuration;
- prolonged causeless crying of a child;
- convulsions;
- Quincke's edema;
- suffocation;
- loss of consciousness.
When deciding whether to give the MMR (vaccination) to a child or not, weigh the pros and cons. Consider the disappointing statisticsdata that indicate that with a full-fledged infection with measles, mumps or rubella, the likelihood of complications of various degrees of severity is hundreds of times higher than after vaccination with modern drugs. In addition, mothers' reviews indicate a high level of safety of MMR vaccination - the vast majority of vaccinated children did not have any post-vaccination complications. Follow the preventive measures and doctor's instructions - then the vaccine will only benefit your baby and protect against serious diseases.
