In the period from September to March, many parents are faced with the need to vaccinate a child from another strain of the virus. According to the World Health Organization, vaccination is the only reliable way to prevent the disease and its complications.
Prevention of influenza in children
In addition to vaccines, there are several options for protecting the baby from infection. Basic prophylaxis of influenza and ARVI in children includes:
- adherence to hygienic rules;
- disinfection of premises in crowded places (kindergartens, schools);
- use of antiviral drugs and drugs to stimulate the immune system;
- application of personal protective equipment.
Some children have enough of these methods to prevent infection and ensure the normal functioning of immunity, but each item has certain drawbacks. Disinfection and adherence to hygiene standards are characterized by low efficiency - washing hands and treating the premises will have every 1.5-2 hours. Personal protective equipment (masks) should be worn sick, and not healthy people, but others do not do so.
Immunomodulators and antiviral drugs are a dangerous method of prevention. Most strains due to the annual mutation already have resistance to such drugs, and some medicines (Kagocel, Arbidol, Ocillococcinum, Anaferon and the like) are initially useless. Costly antiviral drugs must be taken long, throughout the epidemic season, which adversely affects the child's body due to serious side effects and toxicity of these drugs for the liver.
Influenza vaccination has significant advantages in comparison with other forms of prevention:
- high efficacy (60-90% of children do not get sick after vaccination);
- one- or two-fold administration of the drug;
- affordable cost.
Should I get a flu shot from a child?
Vaccination on the eve of the epidemic of acute respiratory-viral diseases is voluntary. Whether it is worthwhile to vaccinate against the flu to a child, and what medicines to use for this, parents decide solely. If there is any doubt about the advisability of administering the vaccine and its safety, you should consult a pediatrician. Infection from children to the flu is not a guarantee of 100% protection against infection. A kid can get infected during an epidemic, but will suffer a pathology quickly and without serious consequences.
Can I get a flu shot from a child?
Most children are not only allowed to administer the vaccine, but it is also recommended, especially if they visit places of mass gathering - kindergartens, early development groups, schools. To decide whether or not to vaccinate against a child, only the opinion of the parents and the age of the baby (up to 6 months can not be influenced). Before vaccination it is important to make sure there are no contraindications:
- allergy to chicken protein;
- period of acute infectious disease or exacerbation of a chronic disease;
- hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
- primary immunodeficiencies;
- malignant neoplasms;
- systemic diffuse lesions of connective tissue;
- immunosuppression;
- severe diseases of the adrenal gland, nervous system.
Vaccination against influenza for children - for and against
Any qualified doctor will note that vaccination has more advantages than disadvantages. When deciding whether a child should be vaccinated against influenza, it is important to consider its benefits:
- absolute safety, especially inactivated drugs (without live virus);
- maximum efficiency;
- prolonged action (antibodies are produced about a year);
- protection against complications of pathology;
- stimulation of the immune system;
- single injection.
When answering the question whether a child should be vaccinated against influenza, the vaccine's shortcomings should also be studied:
- the maintenance of preservatives and harmful chemical compounds (in the minimum concentration);
- the likelihood of side effects;
- risk of disease in mild form (when using a medicine with a living virus).
If the baby has contraindications, or is too small for vaccination, pediatricians advise applying the tactic of "cocoon", widespread in developed countries. The essence of the method is the introduction of vaccination to all family members and the closest surrounding of the child (nannies, governesses). This method is also suitable for children who do not attend schools, kindergartens and similar institutions.
How is the flu vaccinated?
The use of vaccination is carried out in accordance with established rules. Vaccination of children against influenza is carried out exclusively in a specialized institution - immunological center, public or private clinic. Sometimes the injection is done at home, after the conclusion of the contract with the certified medical representative about the subsequent supervision of the child. It is not recommended to buy the drug on your own. The doctor may refuse to use this vaccine because of the lack of a guarantee of its correct storage and transportation.
How to prepare for flu vaccination?
The only preliminary measure on the eve of the introduction of the drug is consultation with the pediatrician. Influenza in children, even in a mild form, can cause severe complications, even death. The doctor should carefully check the health of the baby, make sure that there are no allergic reactions to the vaccine ingredients, contraindications to its use.
Response to influenza vaccination in a child
Modern drugs rarely provoke negative side effects. A flu vaccination for children can be accompanied by a slight swelling and painful skin at the injection site. These symptoms disappear after 2-4 days without special therapy. In exceptional cases, a slightly elevated temperature after vaccination against influenza in a child, slight weakness or drowsiness is recorded. These phenomena are considered normal reactions of the body to vaccination, associated with the activation of the immune system.
Vaccination against influenza - complications
Opponents of vaccination constantly point to its dangerous consequences. The studies of the World Health Organization and other official institutions disprove these allegations. After the flu vaccination, the child never has any complications if the drug was of proper quality, injected correctly, and the baby has no contraindications to the use of the medicine. Inactivated medicines can not provoke infection. Very rarely infection occurs after the application of a solution with a living virus, but the disease proceeds quickly and in a mild form.
Influenza vaccine - titles
The virus is regularly mutated, so pharmacological companies annually develop new drug formulations. The most effective modern vaccine against influenza 2017-2018 for children is Sowigripp. It contains an additional strain of H1N1 "Michigan". At the request of parents, another flu vaccine for children can be used:
- Grippol;
- Influvac;
- Fluuarix;
- Agrippal.