In this article, we will tell you from what diseases your vaccination against pneumococcal infection can protect your child, and what complications this vaccine can cause.
What is pneumococcal infection?
Pneumococcal infection is a disease caused by various microorganisms, commonly referred to as pneumococci. There are more than 90 varieties of such microorganisms, each of which is capable of causing severe infections, especially in children under the age of two.
Such infections can take the following clinical forms:
- pneumonia;
- bronchitis;
- otitis;
- sinusitis;
- purulent meningitis;
- sepsis;
- arthritis;
- endocarditis and others.
Due to the variety of pneumococci, a child's infection does not form an immunity to diseases caused by other varieties of these microorganisms. Thus, vaccination against pneumococcal infection is best done by all children, even those who have already experienced its manifestations.
When are pneumococcal vaccinations given?
In countries where pneumococcal vaccination is mandatory, the order of its implementation is indicated in the national vaccination schedule. In addition, the time of the next inoculation directly depends on the child's age. For example, in Russia, children under 6 months of age will be vaccinated in 4 stages - at the age of 3, 4.5 and 6 months with mandatory revaccination at 12-15 months. Most often in such cases, a new inoculation against pneumococcal infection is combined with DTP.
Babies over the age of 6 months, but less than 2 years, are vaccinated in 2 stages, and between breaks should be observed a break of at least 2 and not more than 6 months. Children older than 2 years inoculated once.
If vaccination against pneumococcal infection in your country is only recommended, the time of vaccination depends only on the desire of the parents. In the opinion of the famous doctor E.O. Komarovsky, pneumococcal vaccination is best done before the child enters the kindergarten or any other children's institution, because there he will have a real opportunity to "pick up" the infection.
What vaccines are used to prevent pneumococcal infection?
For the prevention of various diseases caused by pneumococci, the following vaccines can be used:
- Prevenar is a 7-valent conjugate vaccine produced in the USA;
- Pneumo 23 is a French-made polysaccharide vaccine.
It is unequivocal to answer the question, which of these vaccines is better, it is impossible, because each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Meanwhile, Prevenar is used to vaccinate children starting from 2 months of life, whereas Pneumo 23 is only from the age of 2 years. If an inoculation is made for an adult, a French vaccine is more often used. However, according to most modern doctors, this
What complications can the pneumococcal vaccine cause?
Most children show no reaction to pneumococcal vaccination. Meanwhile, in rare cases, a slight increase in body temperature, as well as soreness and redness of the injection site, is possible.
If the baby is prone to allergic reactions, it is recommended that antihistamines, for example, Fenistil drops, be taken within 3 days before and 3 days after vaccination.