Infants are least susceptible to the influenza virus, this is primarily due to the presence of immunity, which they received from the mother. If the mother lacks protective antibodies, then the risk of contracting the flu in infants is increased. Nonspecific methods of preventing influenza do not bring the effect. Vaccination of children against influenza is the most effective method of preventing this disease. To date, inactivated vaccines have been used for this purpose.
Vaccines against influenza
Vaksgripp - split vaccine (purified inactivated) produced by the French company Pasteur Merri Connaught. One inoculation dose contains a minimum of fifteen micrograms of hemagglutinin H3N2-influenza A virus, 15 μg (not less than) H1N1-influenza A hemagglutinin virus, 15 μg (not less) hemagglutinin of the influenza virus type B. In addition, the vaccine dose is contained in a small amount of formaldehyde, merthiolate, traces of neomycin and buffer solution.
Grippol is a polymer-subunit trivalent vaccine (manufactured by the Institute of Immunology, Russia, Moscow, Russia), which contains the surface antigens of influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and influenza B, and also contains conjugated antigens with a polyoxidonium immunostimulant. All this with a relatively low quantitative presence of antigens significantly increases the immunogenicity of vaccines.
Fluarix is a purified inactivated influenza split vaccine, manufactured in Belgium (Smith Klein Beecham). It contains fifteen micrograms of haemagglutinin each strain of the influenza virus, sucrose, phosphate buffer, traces of formaldehyde and merthiolate (all strains are recommended by WHO).
INFLUVAC , a subunit inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine produced in the Netherlands (Solvay Pharma), contains purified surface antigens of neuraminidase and hemagglutinin, which are derived from important strains of the influenza virus, presented by WHO, taking into account the instability of the virus.
Indications for use
If possible, vaccination against influenza should be received by all children from age six months, but vaccination is primarily carried out among children who are at risk. These are kids:
- with pulmonary diseases in chronic form, including patients with severe and moderate asthma, chronic bronchitis;
- with heart diseases, especially with significant hemodynamic disorders;
- receiving immunosuppressive therapy;
- with sickle-cell anemia or other hemoglobinopathies;
- with immunopathology, including with HIV infection;
- with chronic metabolic and renal diseases;
- patients with diabetes mellitus;
- taking aspirin for a long time, since after the flu there is a chance of developing Ray's syndrome.
The mandatory vaccination of children is conducted in preschool institutions, at children's homes and in boarding schools. It should be noted that this vaccination is carried out only at will and with the permission of the parents (the exception are the home of the child).
Vaccination schedule
Vaccination against influenza is carried out regardless of the time of year, but it is better to spend in September-November (at this time the influenza season begins). In adults, the inactivated vaccine is administered once, in children it is administered twice (between vaccinations, a 30-day interval).
Precautions and Contraindications
Inactivated live influenza vaccines are contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to chicken and egg squirrel. Acute infection can become a temporary contraindication. People with immunodeficiency are vaccinated with inactivated vaccine according to general rules. However, split split vaccines (Fluarix, Vaxigrip), subunit vaccines (Agrippal, Influvac) are administered only at the age of six months. To protect a child who is not yet 6 months old, all who surround him are vaccinated.
Influenza vaccination in children with severe pathology is performed exclusively by a split subunit vaccine. The following preparations are suitable: purified trivalent split vaccines Influvac, Grippol, Vaxigrip, Fluarix.