The influenza virus has a very insidious nature: it constantly mutates, and the vaccine against this infection must be regularly updated, and the vaccine itself must be repeated annually.
How old is the flu vaccine?
Acute infections accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
- serious neurological diseases;
- pathology of the heart and kidneys;
- Allergy, especially for allergy to chicken protein, which is part of many vaccines (the composition must be clarified in advance).
Can a negative reaction to a vaccine be prevented?
Alas, it is impossible to completely protect a child from side effects, but parents can reduce their risk. So, for example, so that doctors recommend giving the child antiallergic drugs three days before vaccination, on the day of vaccination and three days after it. After the vaccination, it is worth keeping at the ready antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen in case the baby's temperature rises above 38 ° C.
It is important to remember that in the first week or two after vaccination, the likelihood of contracting ARVI increases. Do not be surprised: any vaccination is a load on the immune system, which can weaken the body's defenses. As a result, during this period, the child becomes more susceptible to viral infections... By the way, this is why vaccination should be carried out 3-4 weeks before the expected epidemic, but not in its midst.
Discussions about the benefits and dangers of vaccines have been going on for years, and in the midst of the flu epidemic, we will surely face another wave of controversy. What opinion to listen to - it is up to the parents to decide, the main thing is not to forget to consult a pediatrician before making a decision.
Good day, dear readers! With the advent of cold weather, I began to think more and more about the need to vaccinate my child against influenza. I'm sure many young mothers also face this problem. Each new wave of the epidemic becomes more serious and dangerous. You don't want to leave your baby defenseless against this disease, do you?
Then let's look together for the answer to the question - Do children need a flu vaccine: pros and cons. To be as competent as possible in solving this dilemma, I consulted with several experienced pediatricians, visited more than one forum, read and studied various reviews, and now I am ready to share useful information with you. So, let's start?
How dangerous is the disease
Influenza is a fairly serious ailment that affects airways and lead to hyperthermia. A child's body with a weakened immune system cannot fight this disease on its own. Don't underestimate the problem! Every year, epidemics are becoming more dangerous, and doctors do not stop developing new protective vaccines against the disease. Is it necessary to subject a small patient to a preventive vaccination procedure? Each parent answers this question differently. Doctors strongly recommend protecting children from the disease.
Let's first find out how the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves? Last winter, I refused vaccination and my son had to suffer this disease. If you only knew how much I reproached myself for this oversight! So, when a child contracted the flu virus, he has:
- high fever, which is very difficult to bring down;
- headache and weakness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- cough and signs of acute respiratory infections.
However, the main danger lay ahead of us. The disease greatly weakens the immune system, so your child may develop additional complications - otitis media, meningitis, pneumonia, heart and central nervous system diseases. My son can be said to be lucky. His middle ear was inflamed, but we quickly dealt with this problem. If today someone asks me “Should I get a flu shot?” I will definitely give a positive answer.
Key benefits of vaccination
So that you can make the final decision on the need for vaccination in 2016, I will try to explain in as much detail as possible about all the benefits of such a procedure.
- Even if later your son or daughter becomes infected, the disease will go away almost imperceptibly - without high temperature and any complications. You may even mistake it for a minor cold.
- The immunity of the child after vaccination is significantly strengthened. The baby's body will be prepared to fight the virus.
- The flu shot can be given in conjunction with other vaccinations.
The vaccine works for 6 months. Most often, the flu epidemic begins in late autumn and early winter, so this duration will be quite enough. If your child is in good health, you can skip this procedure. I did that too, and then I very much regretted it. There are several categories of babies who need vaccination, as they are at risk. Do not refuse vaccination if:
- your baby often has a cold;
- the child has serious chronic lung disease, respiratory system, heart, central nervous system;
- there are pathologies of the kidneys, the endocrine system;
- the child is taking medications that suppress immunity;
- your child regularly attends kindergarten or crowded places.
Are you worried about contraindications and consequences of influenza vaccination? I promise to tell you about this in detail, but a little later. Now I propose to consider several of the most popular vaccines, compare their advantages and disadvantages.
Types of flu shots and side effects
There are two main types of influenza virus vaccines:
- "Live" vaccinations - contain a minimum dose of a weakened virus;
- inactivated - without living microorganisms.
The second option is considered the safest and most effective. Such medicines have practically no contraindications and do not cause adverse consequences. The pediatrician recommended that I get my child vaccinated with the Grippol vaccine. This Russian drug has undergone many studies and clinical trials, and has received many positive reviews. Most of my friends gave their children exactly such vaccinations, and I decided to keep up with them. Want to keep your child safe? Then I advise you to also stay on this vaccine. It helps to significantly strengthen the immune system and will definitely not harm your baby. You can use the medication for children from 6 months.
To be honest, before the vaccination, I was a little afraid that the reaction of the child's body to Grippol would be negative. Thank God everything went well, the baby feels good.
I don't want to scare you, but flu shots can be contraindicated and cause some complications. It is about them that I promised to tell you. The thing is that before giving an injection, the doctor must make sure that the child has no contraindications to the use of the medication and serious health problems. If this rule has not been followed, some time after vaccination, the baby may develop a negative reaction to the vaccine, accompanied by:
- headache;
- swelling and redness of the injection site;
- weakness and drowsiness;
- an increase in temperature.
Even if these frightening symptoms appear, do not panic. A healthy child's body must quickly cope with them.
How to prepare your child for vaccination
If you decide to give your baby a flu shot for the first time, you will need to undergo an additional examination and pass all the necessary tests. This will maximize the safety of your child from possible negative reactions to the vaccine. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor all the questions that interest you. He must answer them in as much detail as possible.
Before vaccination, the child's temperature is measured, the medical record is studied in order to find out in advance about the presence of pathologies or chronic diseases... Remember! Only a healthy child can be vaccinated. If the baby is already coughing and sneezing, it is better to postpone the procedure.
Rules of conduct after vaccination
Is it possible to wet the injection site? This question worries many, but in fact it is not so important. On the first day, doctors do not recommend treating the vaccine with water and soap, but if this happens, nothing bad will happen. Make sure that your baby does not scratch the injection site.
Doctors recommend that young mothers do not rush to go home after vaccination. The fact is that any negative reactions, as a rule, appear within the first 30 minutes after vaccination. Also, make sure that for two days the child does not overcool, does not overheat and communicate as little as possible with strangers who may be carriers of the infection.
By the way, if you decide to vaccinate your child, then the parents will also have to postpone the vaccination. Why give injections to a baby if an illness can bring the flu from work? Remember that the first few days after the introduction of the vaccine, the baby's immunity remains weakened. During this period, do not take your baby with you to the store, refuse to attend kindergarten. Let him sit at home for a while, watch cartoons, play with his favorite toys.
That's basically it! I hope I was able to prove to you that you need a flu shot. Choose quality tested vaccines and consult a pediatrician, then no adverse reactions will appear. I wish you and your little ones good health! Be sure to share your opinion about seasonal vaccination in the comments and check our blog often. There are still many interesting things ahead!
Influenza is a dangerous viral disease. It affects the respiratory tract, causes the development of general intoxication of the body. If you get infected with it when the immune system is severely weakened, serious complications can occur - disturbances in the work of the heart, pneumonia, and others. Realizing this, many parents are wondering whether to get a flu shot for their child. After all, the attitude of doctors to anti-influenza vaccines is ambiguous.
Influenza is a Dangerous Disease for Children
Should I give my child a flu shot?
The flu shot has its pros and cons. The first are:
- after the introduction of the drug, the immunity begins to more actively resist all infectious diseases;
- the negative consequences of influenza vaccination in children are very rare, therefore modern vaccines are considered safe;
- flu prevention drugs used today in pediatric practice reduce the risk of infection viral disease by 90%. If the child does get sick, then he suffers the disease easily, without complications;
- influenza vaccines have few contraindications.
As for the negative aspects of vaccinations, they are as follows:
- in most cases, the period of free vaccination takes place at a time when the virus is already actively spreading - many people around are sick. This means that a child who was vaccinated yesterday may today accidentally communicate with a friend infected with the flu and get infected from him for the simple reason that his body did not have time to develop immunity to the virus;
- not a single flu vaccine, even the most expensive one, can give a 100% guarantee that the baby will not get sick during the winter.
A significant disadvantage of flu shots that are given to children is that no one takes into account the individual characteristics of the organism of each child. Everyone is introduced to the same composition. But it doesn't suit everyone. This must be understood. And this should alert parents. At a minimum, you need to find out before vaccination what kind of drug was purchased by the clinic, who is its manufacturer, what composition.
Should I get a flu shot for my child?
Of course not. Parents are not required to get their child a flu shot. Therefore, if the district pediatrician claims the opposite, you can safely leave his office.
But if the vaccination is planned, you need to have time to do it in September-October, that is, before the start of the epidemic season.
Indications for childhood vaccination
- often get sick;
- have chronic respiratory diseases, disturbances in the work of the endocrine or respiratory system;
- have diseases of the nervous system, kidneys, heart;
- suffer from blood clotting disorders;
- attend childcare facilities.
A qualified immunologist should decide whether a child needs a flu shot.
Eleven anti-influenza vaccines are currently registered in the Russian Federation. Most often used: Grippol, Vaxigripp, Influvac, Inflexal, Begrivac and some others.
What types of flu vaccines are used in modern pediatric practice
Flu vaccinations have been used in humans for over fifty years. For such a long time period, they have been repeatedly studied by scientists, improved and refined. Therefore, on the modern pharmaceutical market, there are safe vaccines that almost never cause complications and do not have adverse reactions to health.
Anti-influenza drugs are updated every year. Their composition is developed taking into account the strain of the pathogen that circulates in the world. This means that the same vaccine is never given for several years in a row.
At the same time, it is important to realize that scientists cannot determine absolutely exactly the strain that will cause the flu this year. This does not mean that the vaccine may be completely useless - no, it will in any case reduce the body's susceptibility to infectious agents, which means that the course of the disease will be easier.
There are the following types of vaccines:
- I'm alive. It is administered by spraying onto the nasal mucosa. The virus is alive, but severely weakened.
- Split. It is based on antigens and proteins of the influenza virus. Can be administered to babies over six months.
- Whole virion. Contains purified viruses that have been neutralized with formalin or ultraviolet radiation. These flu vaccines can be given to children over the age of seven.
- Virosomal. It is an innovative development in the fight against influenza. Consists of virosomal complex and viral antigens. Virosomes are compounds that improve the response of the child's body to the drug. This guarantees the development of strong immunity. Virosomal vaccinations are better tolerated by children than others.
- Subunit. Includes exclusively purified infectious agents. Can be administered to children over six months.
Before the introduction of the vaccine, you need to find out where it was produced and what was included in its composition
Flu shot - contraindications for children
You may not always be able to get your child vaccinated against the flu. Since this procedure involves the introduction of a live or killed viral agent, at the time of its implementation, the crumbs' immune system must necessarily work without interruption.
Therefore, pediatricians do not allow vaccines to be given to children if they have:
- runny nose;
- elevated temperature body;
- stomach upset;
- general malaise;
- cold.
It is forbidden to undergo vaccine prophylaxis for children who have been diagnosed with benign or malignant tumors, with immunodeficiency, in the period after the illness, if an operation was recently performed.
Children under one year old who are on breastfeedingIt also doesn't make sense to get a flu shot. After all, they receive the necessary protection with mother's milk.
Viral, split and subunit compounds should not be administered if the child is prone to allergic reactions - he does not tolerate antibiotics, chicken protein. Pediatricians also recommend refusing their use if there were complications in the history after the administration of the previous vaccine.
Consequences of a flu shot in children
If the parents, having consulted with an immunologist, decided that their child needs a flu shot, they should know that in the first days after the vaccine is administered, the baby may experience a slight increase in body temperature, the injection site may be swollen, compacted.
These symptoms go away on their own. If the child is not feeling well, you can give him an antipyretic.
I was vaccinated - immediately became infected ...
It also happens that immediately after the vaccination, the child becomes infected with the flu. The reason for this is the lack of time to develop stable immunity, that is, the drug was introduced when everyone around was already sick. The opinion that it was the injected drug that caused the disease is erroneous. This cannot be.
This means that one can expect a beneficial effect of the anti-influenza composition on the child's body only if it is used in advance. After the injection, 2-3 weeks should pass before the start of the cold season, at least.
At the time of the vaccine administration, the child must be absolutely healthy
How else you can avoid getting the flu without using vaccines
Vaccination is not the only preventive measure to reduce your risk of getting the flu. In order not to get sick, you need:
- take a high-quality vitamin and mineral complex, immunomodulators prescribed by a doctor;
- strictly observe hygiene standards - wash your hands when coming home before eating, do not use other people's dishes and hygiene items, regularly carry out wet cleaning in the house, often ventilate the premises;
- spend less time in crowded places.
If a family member gets the flu, the rest of the family must wear gauze bandages. They need to be changed at least every three hours.