28.03.2024

Indications for vaccination, flu

In most cases, influenza vaccines do not cause any complications that are dangerous to a child. However, in order for the vaccine to be transported well, to be effective and not to cause adverse reactions, it is important to vaccinate the child before the epidemic begins, then his immunity will not be unnecessarily loaded.

Actions in case of negative reactions to the vaccine

Although the flu vaccine is poorly reactive, like any other vaccine, it affects the immune system, so there is always a risk of negative reactions.

If you notice in a baby who has recently received an anti-influenza vaccination, any adverse symptoms, such as a significant fever or an extensive local reaction to an injection, you should consult a doctor. He will establish the causes of the deterioration of the condition and suggest treatment.

Flu vaccine is recommended:

  • Often ill children.
  • Babies who have chronic diseases, as well as malformations of the respiratory system.
  • Children with heart and CNS diseases, including congenital malformations.
  • Children who have blood diseases, kidney disease, endocrine diseases.
  • Babies attending child care.
  • Children with immunodeficiencies, including those caused by drugs.

Flu vaccine should not be given when:

  • Allergies to chicken eggs (based on them are vaccines against this infection);
  • Exacerbation of chronic or allergic diseases (it is recommended to vaccinate only 2 weeks after recovery);
  • SARS and elevated body temperature;
  • Serious anti-influenza vaccination reactions in the past.
Possible complications and can they be prevented?

Also recommend that the day before the manipulation, the day of vaccination and the next day to take an antihistamine.

Pros

  • Vaccination will help protect against a dangerous disease, which is especially valuable during epidemics. The effectiveness of modern anti-influenza vaccines is estimated at 70-90%.
  • This is doubly important for the child, since in young children the flu is often accompanied by serious complications and hospitalization.
  • Vaccination is cheaper than treating the flu. In addition, the mother does not have to take the hospital, which also affects the family budget.
  • Having instilled a large number of people, one can achieve the appearance of collective immunity.
  • Modern vaccines are distinguished by an improved composition – the dosage of antigens is reduced, while maintaining efficiency, and there are no preservatives containing mercury.
  • Vaccines are released in syringe doses, which prevents errors during injection.
  • Thanks to the vaccination, the number of complications of the flu is reduced by 30%, and deaths by 50%.
  • Influenza vaccine is 50-60% effective against other acute respiratory infections.
  • Since influenza vaccines are distinguished by a small number of adverse reactions, they can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines.
What is dangerous disease?

Influenza in children often occurs in severe form – the temperature rises to 39-40 degrees, febrile seizures are possible, children complain of headaches, their condition is greatly worsened.

The danger lies mainly in the fact that the virus greatly weakens the immune system, so the sick child with the flu becomes defenseless against bacteria that constantly attack our airways. This causes influenza complications such as pneumonia, otitis media and meningitis.

In addition, if the baby has chronic diseases, the influenza virus causes their aggravation. It especially harms the nervous and cardiovascular systems of children.

The pros and cons and whether to put this vaccine?

There is much debate about the feasibility of vaccination against influenza.

The arguments of opponents of such vaccinations are as follows:

  1. The vaccine “works” for only a few months. This is true, because the drug is created on the basis of circulating viruses, and by the end of winter new strains may appear, so the risk of infection remains.
  2. Anti-influenza vaccines are rare, but they still give a vaccination reaction in the form of a brief rise in temperature, as well as edema at the injection site.

Vaccination does not protect against infection. A vaccinated child can get the flu, but the goal of the vaccine is not at all an obstacle to infection. Vaccination will help to avoid severe illness and serious complications of the infection.

Preparation before vaccination

On the need for vaccination against influenza should consult a pediatrician, observing the baby. He will take into account the peculiarities of the child’s body and draw conclusions as to how the baby will be immunized.

Also, those who want to be confident in the health of the crumbs and prevent possible complications should pass a blood and urine test. In some cases, it makes sense to consult an immunologist.

The minimum age of the child and the frequency of vaccination

The flu vaccine can be given to babies over 6 months old. If children have not previously had the flu and have never been vaccinated against the disease, they should administer the vaccine twice. In this case, make two injections 1/2 of an adult dose of vaccine with a break of one month. The injection is often carried out intramuscularly, but you can also enter the drug deep under the skin.

Vaccination is usually carried out in September or October, so that by the beginning of a possible epidemic, children already have immune protection. Later vaccination may coincide with the incubation period of the disease and not affect the possibility of infection. Since the composition of vaccines changes every year due to virus mutation, it is recommended to vaccinate children and adults from this infection annually.

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