Reaction to flu shot one week later. Influenza Shots for Children - Guidelines for Parents

One of the most relevant topics for parents in the autumn-winter period is the flu vaccine for children, which is offered to be given in all medical institutions. On the one hand, you want to protect your child from the virus through vaccination. On the other hand, so many myths tell about the dangerous consequences that can be after this, that parents have a completely understandable fear.

So what is more dangerous: the flu or a vaccination against it - let's try to figure it out.

Vaccination efficiency

Parents can decide their own doubts whether or not to get a flu shot for children only after weighing all the pros and cons. Vaccination is voluntary, so when making a decision, the most important thing is not to make an annoying mistake. Parents should be clear about the benefits of this vaccine and how effective it is.

It must be understood that flu shots for children do not protect against getting the virus. Their task is fundamentally different: if it is present, the disease simply proceeds mildly, without complications. Unfortunately, doctors do not fully inform parents about this, and the latter, as a rule, hope that the vaccination given to the child is a guarantee that he will not get the flu.
The vaccine has a long-term effect on the human body. It promotes the development of immunity to the virus within two weeks. It will be effective for six months or more. In accordance with these indicators, vaccinations begin to be carried out well in advance of the planned influenza epidemic, so that immunity has already been developed.
Imported vaccines are highly effective (up to 90%), so it will not be superfluous for parents to study the ampoule that is used for injection.
The advantages include the important fact that a child can be vaccinated against influenza at the same time as vaccination against many other diseases - tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough.

Most often, such influenza vaccines are offered as Vaxigrip, Fluarix, Agrippal, Influvac, etc. However, if flu vaccinations had some advantages, no one would doubt whether to give them to their child or not.

This is due to the presence of disadvantages - contraindications, failure to comply with which leads to complications. It is because of the rather serious consequences that many parents are afraid to vaccinate their babies against the flu.

Contraindications

Doctors must inform parents what contraindications of flu vaccination children need to observe in order not to bring the matter to dangerous complications... And be sure to identify them before vaccinating.

Contraindications include:

age up to 6 months: the flu vaccine for children under one year old is not given if a live vaccine is used (shown only after 3 years) or inactivated (it is considered successful only after 7 years); many doctors say that the safest flu shot will be for children under 3 years old, since before this age they already have to go through a whole list of necessary vaccinations;
heart disease of any severity;
recent cold;
lung diseases that have become chronic (for example, bronchitis);
high fever at the time of vaccination;
, cough;
constant contact of a child with an already influenza person (for example, if someone has already caught this virus in the family);
if the baby is already sick;
allergy to chicken protein;
hydrocephalus;
individual intolerance.

Before giving the influenza vaccination, the doctor should conduct an examination, especially if the child is being vaccinated for the first time. Blood and urine tests are taken, individual drug intolerance is revealed, and a map of recent illnesses is studied. On the day of vaccination, the child is assessed how he feels, the temperature is measured.

Only after such events, in the absence of contraindications, is the vaccination given. Otherwise, undesirable consequences may begin, which everyone around is talking about so zealously.

The consequences of vaccination

There is a lot of talk now about how dangerous the consequences of a flu shot for a baby's health can be. Instead of vain doubts and empty fears, parents should understand one thing for themselves: they are all possible only if contraindications are not followed. If there are no special problems with the child's health, the vaccination should be successful and fulfill its function - to save, not harm.

The dangerous and not very consequences after an unsuccessful influenza vaccination include:

slight increase in temperature;
swelling or redness at the injection site;
headache;
weakness;
drowsiness;
high body temperature;
, which is accompanied by a sharp drop in blood pressure and disruption of the heart;
death in the presence of serious internal diseases.

Most of these consequences are short-term, local and quickly pass. The danger threatens only those children who have serious pathologies and major health problems. Here, additional consultations of many doctors are needed - narrower specialists who can determine the level and degree of threat of an influenza vaccine.

Thousands of people die from influenza in different countries every year. The culprit of the disease is a virus that enters the human body by airborne droplets. Autumn-winter epidemics rarely bypass anyone. Influenza is insidious - it provokes the development of serious complications. Influenza vaccination is designed to reduce the risk of a possible illness - contraindications to it include only a few items, so vaccination is available to the general population.

Need for influenza vaccination

Influenza - extremely dangerous disease... It would seem that it is worth sitting out for a few days at home until the temperature drops and the state of health improves. However, not all so simple. Influenza often provokes serious complications, and in some cases it can result in the death of the patient.

The most common complications according to data medical statisticsare:

diseases of the upper respiratory tract - sinusitis, otitis media, rhinitis, sinusitis, tracheitis;
lung diseases - bronchitis, croup, pneumonia;
pathology of blood vessels and heart - myocarditis, pericarditis;
diseases caused by disorders of the central nervous system - meningitis, encephalitis, neuralgia.

Also, against the background of influenza, various chronic diseases can also worsen. Vaccination significantly reduces the number of cases: if the vaccination is done on time, the body will have time to develop immunity to the virus. Even when a person gets the flu, the illness will go away in a mild form with minimal risk of possible complications.

In our country, there are several categories of civil servants who are required to receive annual preventive flu vaccinations.

These include those who, by the nature of their work, are forced to communicate daily with a mass of people, among whom there will certainly be flu patients:

workers of the transport system;
military personnel;
health workers;
school teachers and university teachers;
social workers.

Children in kindergartens, secondary school students (with written parental consent) and students can get free immunizations.

In addition to students and government officials, the flu vaccine is recommended for people with weakened immunity:

children from 6 months of age;
pregnant women (in the absence of contraindications);
elderly people (over 60-65 years old), regardless of their state of health;
adults and children who often have colds and SARS;
cancer patients;
persons with immunodeficiency and HIV-positive patients.

bronchial asthma;
diabetes;
metabolic disease;
pathology of the kidneys and liver;
lung disease;
disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system.

The risk group also includes those who are in organized groups for a long time, for example, student dormitories, boarding schools or nursing homes.

Contraindications to vaccination

The list of contraindications is small. It is prohibited to get flu shots:

Children from birth to six months of age (some vaccines in pediatrics are used no earlier than 3 years of age).
During an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Patients with a history of chronic illness are vaccinated only in remission.
During the period of acute conditions, regardless of etiology (infectious or non-infectious). Vaccination is possible only 2-4 weeks after recovery. If we are talking about acute intestinal diseases or ARVI, the vaccination is allowed to be done when the patient's body temperature returns to normal.
With individual intolerance to one of the components that make up the vaccine.
In cases of severe allergy to chicken egg protein.
In case of a serious allergic reaction to the influenza vaccine introduced in previous years (body temperature 39-40 ° C, edema and hyperemia of the skin, convulsions, encephalitis, collapse, anaphylactic shock).

In any case, you shouldn't make your own decision. If a person has absolute contraindications, the vaccine is not given at all. With relative contraindications, the date of vaccination is prescribed by the doctor - only he is able to adequately assess the epidemiological situation and the risk of possible complications.

You can get a flu shot at your local health center or at any paid clinic. Before visiting the manipulation room, you will have to get an appointment with a therapist, who will examine and examine the medical record for the presence of chronic diseases. After the doctor gives a positive opinion, you can go for vaccination.

After vaccination, do not go home immediately. It is better to stay for 0.5-1.0 hours in the clinic in case of complications - the medical staff will quickly provide the necessary assistance, if necessary.

Vaccination of pregnant women

Vaccination of pregnant women has its own characteristics that must be taken into account by every woman carrying a child.

Modern vaccines lack embryotoxic and teratogenic effects, which could provoke the development of abnormalities and defects in the fetus. Despite this, immunization of pregnant women is recommended in the second and third trimester as the safest.

Even if the period of immunization against influenza fell in the first trimester of pregnancy, it makes sense to consult with your doctor, and if approved, get vaccinated. At the same time, preference should be given to high-quality inactivated vaccines that contain only virus particles grown in laboratory conditions and killed in a certain way. These vaccines are completely safe and cannot cause disease. However, they are quite enough for the body to develop post-vaccination immunity. Inactivated vaccines will protect the weakened immune system of a pregnant woman and an unborn child from infection.

The same can be said for nursing mothers. Lactation is by no means a contraindication for the flu shot. On the contrary, the protective cells will enter the infant's body with breast milk and protect him from a dangerous disease.

Vaccines

Flu vaccination begins in the fall, 1-2 months before the planned start of the epidemic. After the introduction of a vaccine against influenza into the human body, an increased production of antibodies directed to fight the virus begins. If you get vaccinated in September-October, you will have time to form a specific immunity against influenza.

The most effective and safe, according to physicians, are inactivated vaccines intended for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration to adults and children from 6 months of age:

The antigenic composition of vaccines changes every year, as the influenza virus mutates from year to year. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), various antigens of viruses are included in the composition of anti-influenza drugs based on those strains of influenza that will "rage" in the coming season.

The flu shot is given intramuscularly (in the thigh or shoulder) or subcutaneously. Modern vaccines are highly safe as they go through several stages of purification. There are no mercury-containing components and preservatives in modern vaccines.

The effect of immunization lasts on average 6-12 months, depending on the drug administered, so it is quite enough to survive the autumn-winter period with the least health risk. However, post-vaccination immunity needs to be formed annually due to its instability and constant change of virus strains.

The body's response to vaccination

No matter how good the flu vaccine is, many people have different reactions to the drug injected:

redness, pain, swelling, or induration at the injection site;
a slight increase in body temperature;
difficulty moving an arm or leg, depending on where the vaccine was given;
an increase in lymph nodes located near the injection site;
an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash, hives, or itching;
headache.

The listed symptoms disappear in 1-2 days. However, each person has their own level of susceptibility and individual pain threshold.

If it is difficult to tolerate the body's reaction to the vaccine, you can alleviate your condition with the help of available medicines:

with an increase in temperature and severe pain symptoms, antipyretic and pain relieving pills (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Tylenol, Nise, Nimesulide, Efferalgan) will help;
with redness, swelling or itching at the injection site, antihistamines are useful (Suprastin, Ceterezin, Loratadin);
with nervousness and increased excitability, it is worth taking sedative pills or drops.

To make the body easier to endure immunization, you need to "help" it: give up alcohol, spicy foods and exotic foods for a while. You should not attend events with large gatherings of people. Among them, there will certainly be several patients with influenza, so there is a high probability of infection at a time when the body has not yet developed immunity to the virus.

Conclusion

Everyone should understand how dangerous the flu is and its consequences. It is easy to protect yourself from this formidable infection - it is enough to get vaccinated before the beginning of the epidemic period. Of course, it is useful to strengthen your immunity - to eat right, give up bad habits, include multivitamins in the diet and temper. But timely immunization will help launch the body's defenses, and in case of infection, speed up recovery and minimize the risk of complications.

The list of contraindications is small, so most of the population can safely go to the nearest clinic for vaccination. Moreover, you should not refuse vaccination for those who are at risk.

Flu vaccine: contraindications and possible complications

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Text: Evgeniya Bagma

No matter how you strengthen your immunity and eat tons of lemons, the most effective remedy protection against influenza remains vaccination. Vaccination can prevent disease by 80-90 percent! But, alas, the flu vaccine is not suitable for everyone - it has very serious contraindications.

Who needs a flu shot and why?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. But contraindications to the flu shot somewhat detract from the versatility of this tool, although they do not diminish its popularity. The best time for it in our region is September-November. It is during these months that flu epidemics begin and it is advisable to prevent them, since it can take up to two weeks to develop immunity to the disease. The flu shot does not protect against other viral infections or respiratory diseases and does not exclude other measures to prevent the disease. The modern vaccine contains three strains, and, contrary to popular myths, does not cause the disease on its own and does not make it worse if it has already occurred. The likelihood of getting sick from a vaccine lasting 1–2 days is only 1%. The flu vaccine is especially indicated for children and the elderly, pregnant women, as well as people who are extremely undesirable to get sick - for example, doctors, teachers and teachers, parents of small children.

Influenza vaccination - contraindications

Before getting vaccinated, be sure to consult your doctor, otherwise vaccination may lead to undesirable health effects. The flu shot has the following contraindications:

an allergic reaction to previous vaccines;

allergy to chicken protein, which is part of the vaccine;

acute illness with high fever;

asthma;

heart failure, hypertension (stages II and III);

diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands;

diseases of the nervous system;

chronic diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract;

endocrine system diseases;

blood diseases;

the flu shot is contraindicated in children under 6 months of age.

To find out what specific contraindications may have contraindications for influenza vaccination in your case, visit your doctor first.

The contraindications for influenza vaccination do not make it less effective way prevention. The vaccine will not protect you 100%, but it will make the disease much easier. So, if the flu shot has no contraindications in your case, do not risk your health and protect yourself.

Influenza and vaccination

Influenza belongs to the group of acute respiratory viral diseases, the danger of which is often underestimated - this leads to the refusal of the flu shot. During epidemics, various preventive measures are taken - wearing masks, frequent hand washing, wet cleaning using aggressive disinfectants. The usefulness of such actions has been proven more than once, but they cannot create a barrier between the virus and a healthy body.

A vaccine is an immunobiological preparation that prepares the immune system to meet the pathogen. Despite the fact that people very often get sick with the flu, strong immunity does not form to it, which allows them to avoid infection in the future - the virus is constantly changing. To be on the safe side, vaccinations should be given before the onset of the projected increase in incidence and repeated annually.

Immunity is created only against those virus strains that are declared in the vaccine preparation.

Knowing the patterns of the epidemic process and tracking cases of disease helps researchers find out what type of influenza is threatening the population - this affects the choice of vaccines used. Information on the types of viruses expected to circulate in the new “influenza season” is provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Types of vaccines

The flu shot is done using:

live vaccines;
inactivated vaccines.

For the manufacture of a live vaccine, weakened recombinant strains of the influenza pathogen are used, the circulation of which is predicted by the WHO. They are cultivated in chicken embryos. The vaccine preparation contains at least 3 variants of the virus, monomycin, nystatin, egg white. The advantage of a live vaccine is the formation of not only general (humoral, cellular) immunity, but also local immune protection. The flu shot creates a barrier on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which becomes the gateway to infection.

Virions, surface and internal antigens of the influenza virus can be included in the composition of inactivated vaccines. Virions, that is, viral particles, are contained in whole-virion vaccine preparations, the use of which is limited due to their high reactogenicity (the ability to provoke unwanted side effects). The safest, according to research and reviews of influenza shots, are split, or split vaccines, as well as subunit vaccines. They form mainly humoral immunity and are suitable for vaccination of children, patients with chronic pathology.

Indications for vaccination

Vaccinations are preferably carried out between October and mid-November.

It will take several weeks for the antibodies to form. The opinion that it is impossible to vaccinate in the midst of the "flu season" is true in relation to live vaccines; immunization with inactivated drugs is permitted. But if the vaccine is administered to a person who is already infected (during the incubation or prodromal period of influenza), it will not be effective.

Vaccination is necessary primarily for people included in risk groups:

medical workers;
employees of retail chains;
employees of kindergartens, schools, institutes;
patients with chronic diseases;
elderly people;
children aged 6 months to 15 years.

Vaccination is carried out in order to:

Prevention of influenza.
Prevention of complications of influenza.
Facilitate the course of the disease.

The flu shot is needed for both healthy children and those suffering from chronic pathology. The vaccine does not suppress the immune system, but it reduces the risk of complications, which are the more dangerous, the weaker the body.

Contraindications to vaccination

The presence of contraindications to the introduction of the flu shot is determined by the doctor; the list includes:

acute febrile conditions of infectious and non-infectious etiology;
exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
an allergy to egg white.

Fever and worsening of chronic illness are temporary barriers to vaccination. In the first case, immunization is carried out after the temperature returns to normal values, in the second - after the onset of remission.

Influenza vaccines are recognized as low-responsive, although some patients experience local or general reactions (redness and swelling at the injection site, weakness, an increase in body temperature to subfebrile numbers). They are not dangerous, they pass on their own without special treatment. However, a contraindication for vaccination is a pronounced febrile reaction (temperature 40 ° C or more), observed after the introduction of the vaccine in the past.

Among the probable contraindications should also be called:

the last trimester of pregnancy;
active form of tuberculosis infection;
chronic lung disease;
hypertension;
atherosclerotic vascular disease.

In the conditions indicated in the list, as well as in the presence of allergic diseases and bronchial asthma, diffuse connective tissue diseases, lesions of the nervous system and adrenal glands, the decision on the possibility of vaccination is made by the doctor, taking into account the degree of risk of possible complications.

Annually, for the treatment and imaginary prevention of acute viral infectious diseases a person spends a huge amount of money. But there is a feeling that the flu is not responding to the full spectrum drugs... A lot of useful and ancient recipes are nothing to him, and hardening the body does not always bring results.

The most difficult situation is with children, because the influenza virus often not only causes a severe course, it leads to the development of complications. Perhaps the only thing that can help is actively strengthening the immune system. Influenza vaccination for children - what are the pros and cons? Whom does it help and should it be done?

Why flu is dangerous

What helps prevent the flu vaccine for children? The flu virus infects thousands of people every year. Sharp viral infectioncaused by such a microorganism, not only weakens the immune system and causes typical manifestations of viral damage to the body. The disease is especially dangerous for its complications.

The most frequent and most severe complication is pneumonia, which develops as a result of the active multiplication of bacteria in a weakened body.
Diseases of the ENT organs: inflammation of the intracranial sinuses - sinusitis (nasal), frontal sinusitis (frontal), middle ear disease - otitis media.
Often, internal organs also suffer - myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle).
Encephalopathy develops, arachnoiditis - damage to the brain and its membranes.
With a fulminant course of the disease, there are deaths.

Babies are more likely to develop such complications due to imperfect immunity. Does my child need a flu shot? Vaccination often makes it possible not only to fully protect against the virus, but also to significantly reduce the percentage of complications.

Which children must be vaccinated against the flu

Indications for active immunization of a child are his health status and medical history.

According to the modern calendar, it is recommended to vaccinate every baby after six months of age.
First of all, children who are weakened and often ill with acute respiratory infections are vaccinated.
Be sure to vaccinate children with chronic respiratory diseases and immunodeficiency (HIV).
Diseases of the kidneys, endocrine and cardiovascular systems, damage to the hematopoietic organs - if any of these ailments are present, the child is subject to active immunization against the influenza virus.

Should children get the flu shot? It is difficult to answer, because along with a positive effect on health, complications are possible. Such prevention may be ineffective in some cases.

What you need to know before getting vaccinated

People often hear a lot of negative information about this procedure from acquaintances or friends. After all, the reaction to a flu shot in children can be different, and in rare cases, it is not easy after vaccination. But few people know that there are mistakes not only in low-quality vaccines - the problem is in the wrong attitude of parents towards immunization. Dangers should be discussed with your doctor in advance. They are easy to avoid if you know what they are talking about.

Vaccination method

The influenza virus vaccine is a homogeneous, transparent, colorless or yellowish liquid. The shelf life of the drug is several months, so the substance is not stored for a long time. Each year, new vaccines are developed, the antigenic composition of which depends on the type of virus expected in the current year.

For babies from 6 to 35 months, the drug is injected twice at a dose of 0.25 ml into the anterolateral surface of the thigh. For children over 3 years old, a single injection of the influenza vaccine at a dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly or deeply subcutaneously into the deltoid muscle is recommended.

Types of flu vaccines

There are several safe vaccines on the medical market.

In order to prevent influenza, live and inactivated (killed) vaccines are used.

Contraindications for vaccination for children

When do doctors prohibit the flu vaccine?

With the development of allergic reactions to one of the components of the drug.
With the development of acute respiratory infection with and without increasing temperature.
The exacerbation of chronic diseases serves as a contraindication for the flu shot for children.
If your child is allergic to chicken protein. Some drugs contain antigens grown in chicken embryos.

The swine flu vaccine for children has the same contraindications. Vaccines for different kind flu is most often combined.

Potential effects of the flu shot

Contrary to popular belief about low-quality or allergenic drugs, many of them are well tolerated. Clinical manifestations for the introduction of the vaccine are not available. It is important to observe a health worker not only before the vaccination, but also at least 30 minutes after it. Side effects sometimes occur after the flu shot in children. What are the possible consequences of such immunoprophylaxis?

Such symptoms disappear in a short period of time on their own. Many of the effects of the flu shot on children can be avoided or reduced. If the temperature rose by more than 2 ° C, this is an indication for the use of antipyretic drugs. If a severe allergic reaction develops, antihistamines can be used.

Severe complications after influenza vaccination in children have not been reported.

Let's summarize. Do I need to vaccinate the child, is this next vaccine dangerous? Vaccination is mandatory for the category of children who have severe chronic ailments. Such children take pills for the underlying disease for a long time, treatment for influenza is also a blow to the liver, it is much easier to vaccinate a baby. By itself, the flu shot is tolerated with little or no major complications. It makes no sense to prevent the influenza virus if people from the close environment also do not get vaccinated. In other cases, the question of the advisability of introducing such a drug should be decided by the parents after consulting a specialist. It is important to weigh the pros and cons correctly.