Pneumococci cause not only pneumonia, but also other infections, for example, otitis media or meningitis. Such bacteria are especially dangerous for children in the first years of life, therefore, since 2014, vaccination against pneumococcal infection. It can be carried out with several drugs, one of which is Prevenar. According to what scheme is this drug administered, what does it look like and what possible problems Can it cause health problems in a small child?
Calculate your vaccination schedule
Composition and release form
Prevenar is produced by the American company Pfizer and is a polysaccharide adsorbed pneumococcal vaccine containing 7 polysaccharides. These are conjugates to seven serotypes of pneumococci, which cause about 80% of pneumococcal infections. Such polysaccharides are bound to the carrier protein CRM197 and supplemented with sodium chloride, aluminum phosphate and sterile water.
The drug is a suspension white, placed in a volume of 0.5 ml in a disposable glass syringe, to which an injection needle is attached (the syringe is sealed in plastic).
The contents of the syringe are usually homogeneous, but the appearance of a white sediment is also considered normal. One box usually contains 1 syringe, but there are also packages containing 5 syringes.
When is it used?
The administration of Prevenar stimulates the development of immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae - types of streptococcus that cause pneumonia, acute otitis media, meningitis and other diseases. Such infections develop especially often in children under 5 years of age, so it is recommended to start vaccination against pneumococcus in infancy.
Although streptococci, unlike viruses, are affected antibacterial agents, many types of such bacteria become resistant to antimicrobial drugs over time, so vaccination is considered more effective.
The vaccine is prescribed for infants over 2 months of age and is especially important for:
- frequently ill children;
- children with chronic pathologies;
- premature babies.
At the age of 5 years and older, vaccination with Prevenar is not carried out, since in such children, as in adults, after administration of the drug the desired immune reaction not developing.
Features of the vaccine
Pros of Prevenar:
- The vaccine protects against the most common strains of pneumococci. If a child develops otitis media, pneumonia or another infection caused by such streptococci, it will be mild.
- The drug extremely rarely provokes adverse reactions.
- There are few contraindications to vaccination with Prevenar. The medication is safe for infants from 2 months of age.
However, the drug also has certain disadvantages:
- Although very rare, an allergic reaction may occur to the components of Prevenar.
- The suspension does not contain all serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which provoke pneumococcal infection in childhood.
- If the baby has a weakened immune system, he does not tolerate Prevenar vaccination well.
Contraindications
Administration of Prevenar is prohibited:
- in case of intolerance to its components;
- at acute illness or during exacerbation of any chronic disease;
- at elevated temperature bodies.
If the baby is intolerant, the vaccination is canceled, and other cases are a reason to postpone vaccination until the baby has fully recovered.
If the baby has received a blood transfusion, the injection is given 3-4 months after the procedure.
Side effects and possible complications
Prevenar rarely provokes an adverse reaction, but it can be in the form of:
- pain, hardness or redness in the area where the suspension was injected;
- increase in body temperature to subfebrile level;
- tearfulness, drowsiness, decreased appetite, lethargy, irritability.
In some cases, the administration of Prevenar may cause complications, for example, immediate allergic reaction. The following negative effects are also rarely possible:
- rise in body temperature above +39;
- severe redness and significant swelling at the injection site;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- an attack of vomiting or diarrhea.
- the appearance of an abscess at the injection site;
- exacerbation of chronic pathology.
To prevent such negative reactions, it is important to take into account contraindications and make sure that the child is completely healthy on the day of vaccination, his temperature is normal, there is no runny nose, there is no redness of the throat, and chronic diseases in remission.
If the child is prone to allergies, the doctor will prescribe one of the antihistamines. Such preparation in most cases helps to prevent complications.
In addition, after getting the injection, you should not immediately go home. It is advisable to stay in medical institution at least half an hour to exclude the occurrence of an immediate allergy. It is also worth limiting the child’s contact with other people for several days after Prevenar is administered.
If side effects do occur, the actions of parents should depend on the characteristics of the reaction. For example, if a child has a fever, you should give the baby an antipyretic medicine (for example, Nurofen).
At slight redness or pain at the vaccine injection site, no special actions are needed. The child can be bathed, but you should not treat the injection site with an antiseptic (or apply a patch or compress).
If the child’s condition worsens or the reaction to the vaccine is more pronounced (for example, the child limps after the vaccination, his leg hurts badly, he sleeps poorly or has an acute respiratory infection), the baby must be shown to the pediatrician.
The doctor will conduct an examination and determine whether complications have indeed arisen, and will also prescribe necessary treatment to eliminate the consequences of the injection.
Instructions for use
Prevenar is administered only intramuscularly - into the thigh muscle (if the child is under two years old) or into the shoulder muscle (if the child is over 2 years old). Intravenous administration strictly prohibited.
How you want to protect your child from all diseases. And if there is any chance of doing this with a vaccine, I try to take it.
Just a week ago, our son underwent revaccination against pneumococcal infection with the Prevenar vaccine.
Indications: prevention of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F (including sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, bacteremia and acute otitis media) in children aged 2 months to 5 years.
The first two doses of this vaccine, which the baby received in the first year of life, caused absolutely no side effects.
AND I thought Prevenar was an easy vaccine.
They went for re-vaccination without fear and apprehension, and completely unprepared.
Previously, a few days before vaccination, whether it was DPT or CCP, I always gave the child Fenistil in drops, tried to exclude possible allergens from the menu, and avoid unnecessary contacts. And then I felt relaxed...
On Tuesday, on the day healthy child, at about 18:00 we were vaccinated. Before the vaccination, I asked the doctor if there could be side effects, to which I received the answer that there might be a temperature. I said that there was no temperature for the first two. The doctor replied: “Well, that means nothing will happen.”
I like the fact that the Prevenar vaccine comes ready-made in disposable syringes with a relatively small needle.
The child took the injection more or less calmly and cried a little, although usually our trip to the vaccination ends in real hysterics. I concluded that the injection was not very painful.
Satisfied that everything went well, we arrived home, our son was cheerful and cheerful, and at about 10:30 p.m. we put him to bed without bathing him.
An hour later the child woke up screaming wildly. At first I thought his stomach hurt, it was hard, but it was most likely from screaming. There was no felt temperature. Then I turned on the light and looked at the grafting site (hip). The area around the injection was hot, Pink colour, ten centimeters in diameter. When touching the leg and without that crying baby, just started screaming heart-rendingly. I have never seen (or heard of) anything like this in my son.
I was honestly scared. The time is 11:40 pm, my husband called an ambulance. The ambulance told us to take our temperature, which we were unable to do, and to give us an antipyretic/painkiller. We barely poured Nurofen into the baby, put a damp cloth on the vaccination site, began to rock him, even turned on his favorite cartoon. The child cried all the time until the medicine took effect. After about 40 minutes I fell asleep.
And the ambulance arrived two hours later, when we had already stopped waiting for it, looked at the sleeping child, issued a call, and left. They said that if this happens again, they will come and take me to the hospital.
The next morning the child was lethargic, either from the vaccination or did not get enough sleep, but he did not complain about his leg, he walked and ran normally. But a day later, snot began to flow, apparently some kind of virus was caught at the clinic.
Then I already read about the possible side effects Prevenar vaccine.
Frequency determination adverse reactions: very often (≥1/10), often (≥1/100 and<100), иногда (≥1/1000 и <1/100); редко (≥1/10 000 и <1/1000), очень редко (≤1/10 000).
Local reactions: very often - redness, hardness/swelling, pain/soreness); often - swelling/hardening of the injection site and redness of more than 2.4 cm, pain at the injection site, leading to a short-term limitation of the range of motion of the limb; rarely - allergic reactions at the injection site (dermatitis, itching, urticaria).
General reactions: very often - hyperthermia 38°C and above (per rectum measurement), irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, tearfulness; often - hyperthermia > 39°C (per rectum measurement); rarely - episodes of arterial hypotension, hyporesponsiveness.
Allergic reactions: rarely - hypersensitivity reactions*, including anaphylactic shock, angioedema, Quincke's edema, bronchospasm, dyspnea.
From the side of the central nervous system: rarely - convulsions*, incl. febrile seizures.
From the digestive system: very often - vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Dermatological reactions: sometimes - urticaria; very rarely - erythema multiforme.
Other: very rarely - regional lymphadenopathy.
Conclusions: The Prevenar vaccine is not at all harmless and can cause side effects. It is advisable to prepare for the vaccination, get tested, take antihistamines, and upon arriving home after vaccination, give the child Nurofen (or another antipyretic drug) in advance, in the dose indicated in the instructions for this drug.
Pneumococcal infection is a whole complex of diseases that are caused by a special bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae (translated as pneumococcus). These include pneumonia, acute otitis media, purulent meningitis, endocarditis, pleurisy, arthritis - all diseases are quite serious and dangerous to the child’s health, threatening him with complications and irreversible consequences in the future.
This bacterium is usually activated after other illnesses such as influenza, measles, otitis media and even the common cold. The best prevention in this case is timely vaccination against pneumococcal infection in childhood, consent or refusal of which can be written by parents.
Vaccination dates
The pneumococcal vaccine has only been included in the “National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations of the Russian Federation” since January 1, 2014. Parents may be offered to vaccinate their child with one of two registered foreign drugs:
- "Prevenar" (made in the USA);
- "Pneumo-23" (supplier - France).
Both vaccines cause virtually no adverse reactions and at the same time are considered very effective and highly immunogenic. However, they have serious differences in terms. “Prevenar” is preferable, since this pneumococcal vaccination is given to children starting from 3 months (if the child is at risk, even from 2 months). "Pneumo-23" is introduced only after 2 years. According to research, the risk of contracting the infection is very high in babies under the age of 24 months. Accordingly, the undeniable advantage of the Prevenar vaccine becomes clear. According to the vaccination calendar, it is given at the following times:
- 3 months;
- 4.5 months;
- six months;
- 1.5 years - revaccination.
Moreover, the drug can be effectively and completely safely combined with other injections, with the exception of BCG. If these terms are observed, vaccination against pneumococcal infection in young children allows them to develop immunity before the age of 2 years, when the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is most active and dangerous.
After vaccination, even if the child gets sick, the infection will be mild and without further consequences for his health. So parents should hardly refuse this vaccination. Moreover, it causes practically no reaction.
Reaction to vaccination
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection in children does not have any special side effects. All the symptoms that may occur after it are quite typical, as with other vaccinations. In the first 2–3 days after this procedure, parents may notice the following manifestations in the child:
- at the injection site (for children under 2 years old - the anterolateral surface of the thigh, over this age - the upper third of the shoulder, the vaccine is given intramuscularly) a thickening and characteristic redness may appear, the child may cry due to painful sensations in this place;
- a slight increase in temperature is extremely rare;
- lethargy, drowsiness (or, conversely, insomnia), irritability, refusal to eat, tearfulness;
- chills.
You just need to endure all these side effects after vaccination against pneumococcal infection. Firstly, they occur rarely (local reaction - in 5% of cases, temperature - in 1%). Secondly, they pass very quickly: within 24 hours.
It is very important to ensure proper care of the injection site, and this has nothing to do with water procedures. On the contrary: you can get it wet. But smearing it with anything, treating it with brilliant green, iodine and other antiseptics is strictly prohibited. Plasters and compresses are also not recommended.
In case of fever (if it exceeds 38°C), you can give an antipyretic that is approved for children. In case of lethargy and irritability, you just need to pay as much attention to the child as possible. If the above symptoms do not go away and the baby’s condition only worsens, immediately inform the pediatrician who is observing you. Perhaps one of the contraindications for vaccination against pneumococcal infection was not observed.
Contraindications
One of the undeniable advantages of vaccination against pneumococcal infection in children is its good tolerability and a minimum of contraindications. It is rare for any child to have their vaccination delayed for some medical reason. Most often, the baby remains unvaccinated only because of the parents’ refusal. Contraindications for it include:
- Individual intolerance to the administered drug, an allergy to one of its components, is extremely rare: in this case, if the child reacted very violently to the first vaccination, all subsequent ones are canceled;
- acute course of any disease, even the common cold;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases (any);
- elevated (even slightly, 37°C) body temperature, even if the examination did not reveal its obvious causes.
If a child has the last three contraindications, vaccination against pneumococcal infection is temporarily postponed until complete recovery. Before administering this injection, doctors examine the children: are they currently sick, do they have a fever, what chronic diseases have been diagnosed, how the baby responded to the previous vaccine. Only after this is a decision made whether to vaccinate against pneumococcus or postpone it until better times. Many parents write a refusal solely out of fear of complications, but are they really that scary?
Possible complications
Indeed, as after any vaccination, complications after pneumococcal vaccination are quite possible. The question is that they are observed extremely rarely, usually with a severe form of allergies or the omission of some other medical factors. Doctors are responsible for the child’s condition at the time of vaccination, so they are responsible and competent in identifying health problems in children at the time of injection. Failure to comply with contraindications is fraught with consequences such as:
- Quincke's edema due to a severe allergic reaction to one of the components of the injection (in addition to the main active ingredient - polysaccharides, Prevenar contains aluminum phosphate and sodium chloride, Pneumo-23 contains phenol as a preservative, as well as sodium chloride and phosphate );
- exacerbation of existing chronic diseases;
- sharp deterioration of condition in the presence of acute infections;
- an exorbitant increase in temperature if the child already had a fever at the time of vaccination.
These are the most terrible complications that are possible after vaccination against pneumococcal infection. However, they are extremely rare and can be avoided by observing contraindications for such vaccination.
The consequences of pneumococcal acute otitis, pneumonia, purulent meningitis, endocarditis, pleurisy and arthritis are diagnosed much more often and leave an irreparable mark on the baby’s health in the future. It is much easier to take preventive measures to prevent such terrible diseases than to then treat an infected child for a long time and painfully. Vaccination against pneumococcus today remains one of the most effective and efficient preventive ways to avoid infection.
Streptococcal microorganisms live in human adults and children. In a normal state, bacteria practically do not harm the biosystem, but when health deteriorates and the immune system weakens, they can provoke many diseases. Bronchitis, otitis media, meningitis, pneumonia and other lists are not the most pleasant. But most importantly, they affect children under 5 years of age. Therefore, Prevenar vaccination is intended to prevent pneumococcal infection.
Features of treatment
The Prevenar vaccine is a new generation vaccine used for streptococcal infections, which cause complications in various diseases.
Prevenar is an adsorbed, pneumococcal, polysaccharide vaccine solution. It is produced by the American company Pfizer. Thanks to the composition, it prevents the progression of viral infection.
The vaccine contains the following components:
- Aluminum phosphate.
- Water.
- Sodium chloride.
- Polysaccharide.
- Carrier protein.
- Pneumococcal conjugate.
These obscure names are variants of pneumococcus, which the Prevenar vaccine protects against. After the injection is administered, the body observes the process of active production of antibodies against the pathogenic bacterium. As a result, there is maximum protection against the penetrating virus and the future development of the inflammatory process.
Prevenar vaccination is not required. Its use is of a recommendatory nature and is carried out on a paid basis. But since 2014, the drug has been included in the Russian preventive vaccination calendar. On its basis, a child receives 10 doses of vaccines against 6 infections in the first year of life, and 6 doses against 7 infections in the second year.
The drug is used in many medical institutions. The positive effect can be noticed immediately after the procedure. The effectiveness of the drug is up to 97%, this indicator prevents the occurrence of serious deviations. Vaccination is popular and optional; it is carried out with the desire and consent of the parents. The medicine is not dangerous to the baby’s health and has a good effect, reduces the risk of pneumococcal infection.
Indications for use
Prevenar is administered intramuscularly. Vaccination is indicated, according to the instructions for use, against diseases such as pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, bacteremia and otitis media. It is worth noting who it is intended for:
- Premature baby;
- Allergenic baby;
- Child under 5 years old;
- Children of two years of age;
- Children with respiratory disease, heart disease, or HIV infection.
Adults and children over 5 years of age are not prescribed the vaccine, since immunization is associated with the production of antibodies against pneumococcus. The desired reaction to the vaccine will not be noticeable. A study on the use of vaccinations in pregnant and lactating mothers has not been conducted, so they are not included in the list of individuals for whom vaccination is indicated.
Contraindications
The medication is a type of prescription vaccine and, like any drug, may have some contraindications. The substance is prescribed only after the recommendations and approval of the attending physician. It is not recommended to vaccinate in the following cases:
- In the presence of an acute infectious disease;
- The baby is up to two months old and over 5 years old;
- In acute chronic process.
Danger and consequences
After administering the injection solution, health workers monitor the baby’s condition. The medicine does not cause serious side effects and is considered a safe drug. An undesirable reaction that may occur is pain at the injection site; the child’s leg may hurt, but it will soon go away. The vaccine was created using new technologies, so the risk to children's health is minimized.
Each child tolerates any drug individually, and different side effects may be observed. The most common adverse reactions after Prevenar:
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Fever.
- The occurrence of allergies.
- Pain in the leg after the injection.
- Redness at the injection site.
- Vomiting, nausea.
Since simultaneous administration of the drug with another vaccine is allowed, it is difficult to determine which drug caused the complication. After the injection, it is advisable to remain under the supervision of a doctor for about half an hour. This will help you quickly respond to an undesirable reaction from the body, for example, why your leg hurts.
After the vaccine, the temperature may rise, but this phenomenon is considered a normal reaction, due to the fact that the body is fighting an infection. How long does the temperature last? Fluctuations in the thermometer can be from 37.5 to 38-39 and can be observed for about a day, then they return to normal. Any complications that do not go away within 24 hours (except for angioedema, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock) require going to the hospital for medical help.
Directions for use and dosage
Instructions for use are quite simple, a single serving is 0.5 ml. The injection is administered intramuscularly, if the child is under 2 years old, then in the anterolateral thigh, if over two years old, then in the deltoid muscle of the leg. The Prevenar vaccination regimen is carried out as follows:
- After the first time of administering the vaccine at 2 months, the second and third times are performed at intervals of a month. That is, three vaccinations must be given at 2,3,4 months. Revaccination is carried out in the period of 12-15 months.
- For babies from 7 to 11 months, therapy consists of two manipulations with a short break (30 days) and revaccination after a year.
- Children (from 12 to 23 months) do not undergo revaccination, but only two procedures.
- Children over 2 years old can be vaccinated once, without repeated revaccination.
The post-vaccination period does not last long; it usually takes a week. At this time, it is better not to take your child to kindergarten, to protect the baby’s health. After vaccination, immunity develops within 30 days.
Prevenar (2800 rub.)
How is the vaccine tolerated?
You may experience symptoms such as:
- pain at the injection site;
- chills, drowsiness;
- refusal to eat;
- Rarely, but elevated temperature may be present;
- lethargy, redness of the limb;
- pain in the leg.
Before vaccination, you should definitely undergo preparation for the process so that such signs do not arise. Make sure that the baby does not have a fever, allergic skin rash, or other diseases. To do this, visit a pediatrician, he will examine the baby and advise you to take tests. After the vaccine, you should not bathe the baby for 24 hours, so as not to wet the injection site; it will be easier to tolerate the vaccine.
If weather conditions allow you to take a walk outside, then this can be done, but it is better to walk where there are few crowds of people. This will help protect the child from unnecessary and unnecessary contact with infectious people. During lactation, it is not advisable for mom to eat exotic dishes or try new foods.
Do you need any maintenance?
After the procedure, it is important to follow simple rules for the injection site; no additional care is needed. Dr. Komarovsky advises not to lubricate the vaccine with brilliant green, iodine, seal it with a band-aid, make a compress, or treat it with an antiseptic. You need to wash the injection site with warm boiled water (after 24 hours), wipe with a damp cloth, and keep the localized area open. It is recommended to give the baby plenty of fluids and monitor feeding.
Video “Vaccination Prevenar”
In this video you can find out what kind of vaccine this is, why the child needs it, and what needs to be done after the injection.
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection has recently been included in the national vaccination calendar. The new vaccine raises many questions among parents of young children. What does vaccination protect against and at what age should one start preventing a dangerous disease?
Pneumococcal infection: symptoms and consequences
Pneumococcal infection is considered one of the most common causes of child mortality. This dangerous disease is caused by pneumococcus, a bacterium that lives in the respiratory tract of adults and children. Most often, pneumococcal infection occurs in children aged 6 months to two years. In children under six months of age, the disease does not develop due to the presence of protective antibodies received from the mother in their blood.
The disease begins acutely with an increase in body temperature to 38-40 degrees. There is a runny nose, cough, shortness of breath. Older children complain of a sore throat. If untreated, the pathogen enters the sinuses, lungs and membranes of the brain.
Treatment of the disease is carried out with antibacterial drugs. Currently, doctors are faced with the fact that, against the background of the massive use of antibiotics, pneumococcus has lost sensitivity to many drugs. Sometimes doctors fail to select an effective drug and provide timely assistance to the child. That is why in recent years vaccination against pneumococcal infection has become increasingly popular as the most effective way to protect against a dangerous disease.
Pneumococcal vaccine: composition and mechanism of action
Two vaccines are approved for use in Russia:
- "Prevenar" (USA);
- "Pneumo-23" (France).
Each of these drugs has its own characteristics. The French remedy protects against 23 of the most common types of pneumococcus. Simultaneous vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection is allowed. This regimen provides optimal protection against the two most common causes of severe pneumonia and meningitis in children.
"Prevenar" ensures the production of antibodies against 7 main types of pneumococci. This is a fairly new vaccine, and not all parents know about its existence. The drug from the USA is not used to prevent pneumococcal infection in adults.
Prevenar and Pneumo-23 have a similar mechanism of action. In response to their administration, antibodies are formed in the body against pathogens of pneumococcal infection. The effect occurs after the full course of vaccination. Vaccinations against pneumococcus not only prevent the development of this infection, but also increase overall immunity. It has been observed that vaccinated children are half as likely to suffer from acute respiratory diseases and six times less likely to be hospitalized with severe pneumonia of any origin.
Timing of vaccination
"Prevenar"
The Prevenar vaccine is approved for use from two months of age. A child is vaccinated according to the following scheme:
- from 2 to 6 months - 3 vaccinations at one-month intervals plus a fourth dose at 12 months;
- from 7 to 11 months - 2 vaccinations at one month intervals plus a third dose at 12 months;
- from 12 to 23 months – 2 vaccinations with an interval of 2 months;
- after 24 months - one vaccination.
"Prevenar" for children under 2 years of age is placed intramuscularly in the anterolateral surface of the thigh. After two years of age, the vaccine can be injected into the upper arm (deltoid muscle). The drug is not administered intravenously!
"Pneumo-23"
Vaccination with this drug is carried out in children over 2 years of age and in adults. The drug is injected once into the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. Revaccination is possible no earlier than after 3 years.
Each drug has its own advantages and disadvantages. Prevenar is a conjugate vaccine, which means it can remain at the injection site for quite a long time. Thanks to this, the drug causes the formation of stable immunity even in the youngest children. A new formula of the Prevenar vaccine has now been developed, which includes 13 pneumococcal antigens. In the future, this drug may become very popular among parents of young children.
Don't know which vaccine to choose? Consult a doctor!
The Pneumo-23 vaccine is not used in children under two years of age, but can be used in adults. Experts recommend vaccination against pneumococcus for patients suffering from chronic diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys. Pneumo-23 is also used to vaccinate military personnel and children from orphanages and boarding schools.
After 5 years, there is no point in vaccinating a child. At this age, children have either already suffered from the disease or become carriers of the infection without clinical manifestations of the disease. In both cases, the child’s body produces antibodies against pneumococcus, so vaccination of children over 5 years of age is not carried out.
Features of vaccination in childhood
The pneumococcal vaccination is given only if the child is in good health. Vaccination is not allowed for cold and flu symptoms, as well as for exacerbation of any chronic diseases. A child who has allergic skin rashes should not be vaccinated. In these cases, vaccination is postponed until the child has fully recovered.
If you have a cough, runny nose or fever, refuse vaccination and consult a doctor.
Prevenar and Pneumo-23 can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines (except BCG). However, you should not mix drugs in one syringe. The vaccine should be given to a different part of the body each time.
Side effects of vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine has some side effects. The most commonly observed effects are:
- reaction at the injection site (pain, swelling, redness, hardness);
- increased body temperature;
- change in the child’s behavior (irritability, drowsiness, anxiety);
- enlarged lymph nodes near the injection site.
Such a reaction to Prevenar or Pneumo-23 is considered completely normal and indicates that the body has responded to the vaccine. These side effects do not require treatment and go away on their own within a few days.
If undesirable reactions to the vaccine last more than 7 days, contact your pediatrician.
All pneumococcal vaccines can cause complications. Here are the most common ones:
- allergic reaction (urticaria, Quincke's edema, bronchospasm; anaphylactic shock);
- convulsions;
- dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
These are no longer harmless side effects that disappear on their own. We are talking about complications that can cause the development of serious diseases. If any of these symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor. Experts do not recommend re-vaccination if any of these complications develop.
Contraindications to vaccination
Like any vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine has its contraindications. It is strictly prohibited to be vaccinated in the following situations:
- development of complications after previous vaccination;
- hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug.
- acute infectious diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- benign and malignant tumors;
- immunodeficiency states;
- systemic connective tissue diseases;
- some congenital pathologies.
In each of these cases, the decision is made individually. In some situations, the doctor suggests postponing vaccination until complete recovery; in others, he does not recommend vaccination at all. In difficult situations, a council of several specialists gathers.
Vaccination: pros and cons
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of vaccination against pneumococcal infection in children. This achievement of modern medicine saves the lives of many children under the age of five. Parents who have vaccinated their baby can rest easy, because now their child is reliably protected from one of the most dangerous childhood infections.
There is another view on vaccination against pneumococcus. Many parents doubt whether it is worth adding another vaccine to the vaccination schedule. Wouldn't this be too much of a burden on the baby's immune system? More and more often, mothers and fathers refuse vaccination, not wanting to vaccinate their child against pneumococcal infection. A large number of side effects frighten parents, and information about rare deaths after vaccination does not inspire optimism.
To vaccinate or not? There is no clear answer to this question. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the parents of the little patient. All that remains is to recommend looking for information about vaccinations in trusted sources and seeking advice from specialists if any questions arise.
The pneumococcal vaccine is a “newcomer” in the Russian National Vaccination Calendar: it was introduced there only in 2014. The appearance of this vaccine caused a mixed reaction: some people perceived it with approval and understanding, others saw in the new drug another attempt to “conduct experiments” on a long-suffering population.
Is it really needed? Let's figure it out.
Pneumococcus: why is it dangerous?
Eight out of ten people with pneumonia and one in three who have had meningitis are victims of this infection. Streptococcus pneumonia is the name in Latin for the culprit of the most serious illnesses that have already ended tragically for one and a half million inhabitants of the Earth.
Rapidly spreading through the bloodstream throughout the body, pneumococcal infection affects not only the lung tissue, but also other vital organs:
- Brain – with further development of purulent meningitis
- ENT organs – with the development of otitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis
- Intestines, where peritonitis occurs under its influence
- Heart – with endocardial damage
- Hematopoietic system – with the occurrence of sepsis
How does infection occur?
Pneumococcus can be contracted from people who are already sick and from bacteria carriers who themselves are healthy, but shed the infection through their breath or when they sneeze. In them, the infection nests in the nasopharynx, but the barrier organs do not allow it to go down to the lungs. Nasal mucus, saliva, ciliated cells of the respiratory organs and the secretion they produce, which helps cleanse the mucous membranes of pathogenic organisms, also prevent its reproduction and spread.
This system is sometimes disrupted by the influence of external and internal factors:
- Hypothermia
- Overwork
- Mental stress
- Lack of vitamins
Together or separately, they weaken the immune system and the next attack of pneumococcal infection ends in illness.
Who needs vaccination most?
Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumonia knows where to aim for sure: preschool children and elderly people who have crossed the sixty-year mark most often become its prey.
Children with the following diseases must be vaccinated:
- Chronic pathologies of the heart and kidneys
- Sickle cell anemia
- Immunodeficiency conditions
- Diabetes mellitus
- Blood diseases
- Liver diseases
- HIV-infected
Important! In the Russian Federation, every year up to 70 thousand children fall ill with pneumococcal pneumonia, and approximately 2.5 million more go to the doctor with symptoms of otitis media - an extremely unpleasant infectious disease that is fraught with dangerous complications, including the development of complete deafness.
Even for such a large country as Russia, these are very serious numbers. The best and easiest way to protect a child or elderly family member is to get vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, which is available at any clinic.
It is also necessary for those who have undergone surgery to remove the spleen, an important hematopoietic organ that also performs a protective function in the body.
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection is mandatory for children raised in orphanages and for elderly people living in nursing homes. This is due to the crowded living conditions and the high likelihood of outbreaks of lobar pneumonia if one person suddenly falls ill.
Best age for vaccination
The first pneumococcal vaccination is recommended in infancy - it is prescribed when the baby is two to three months old, after which he receives two more injections at an interval of 1.5 months. Then revaccination at one and a half years of age is highly desirable.
This vaccination schedule is valid only for Prevenar, an American drug that is considered the number one vaccine in the world against pneumococcal infection.
French "Pneumo-23" can only be administered from two years of age. It is also recommended for vaccination of older people after they reach 65 years of age. Adults are vaccinated once.
What about younger people? They also have a risk of contracting pneumonia - especially if they work in hospitals, educational institutions, retail establishments and transport. Vaccination against pneumococcal infection will provide reliable protection against a serious and dangerous disease, so if your profession involves people, it is better to find time to get vaccinated.
How to prepare for vaccination?
If an adult or child is to be vaccinated against pneumococcus, then a number of important conditions must be met that will help avoid complications in the future:
- At the time of vaccination, a healthy child or adult should not have any signs of a cold - cough, runny nose or fever. To know this for sure, it is better to take basic clinical blood and urine tests
- Chronic diseases must be treated before vaccination to achieve stable remission
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection in children should be carried out only on the day of a healthy child - contacts with sick children waiting their turn in the clinic corridors can lead to infection with other infections, which will certainly make themselves known in a few days and will look like complications after receiving the vaccination.
A little about vaccines: how they differ
As mentioned above, for pneumococcal vaccinations, Russian doctors use imported vaccines - Prevenar and Pneumo-23.
Prevenar and Prevenar-13
This drug was created specifically for children. Initially, its scope of use was limited to seven serotypes of Streptococcus pneumonia, but several years later, American pharmacists added six more antigens to the development.
Prevenar-13 is now used not only in pediatric practice: it is recommended as an effective vaccination against pneumococcal infection in young and elderly people.
The number 23 in the name of this drug means that it fights twenty-three types of pneumococcal serotypes at once. The vaccine produces the best effect in combination with a flu shot - this is the combination that immunologists recommend it in.
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection with the Pneumo-23 vaccine is performed once, its effect lasts for five years, after which revaccination is recommended. Weakened patients with nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure and other severe pathologies that cause a rapid decrease in antibodies to pneumococcus are re-vaccinated more often - after 1-3 years.
Practice shows that the drug Prevenar-13 is more functional than Pneumo-23: thanks to the universal age range, this vaccine is suitable for everyone - infants, preschoolers, young and elderly people.
Both the American and French vaccines are available in a dose of 0.5 immediately in syringes for ease of administration. It is important that they are compatible with most other vaccination materials that are recommended for use by the National Vaccination Program. The only exception is the BCG vaccine.
Contraindications
You can get the pneumococcal vaccine without fear for your own health. The vaccines used for this are of high quality and have only standard contraindications:
- Intolerance to the components of the grafting material
- A previously noted allergy to the same vaccination, if it is already time for revaccination
- The first two trimesters of pregnancy, unless specifically recommended by a doctor
- Respiratory diseases at the time of vaccination
- Exacerbation of chronic pathologies
- Feverish conditions of any origin
Side effects
After vaccination against pneumococcal infection, most children and adults usually do not experience any significant side effects, but doctors warn about possible ailments that may appear in the first 12-24 hours after vaccination:
- Short-term rise in temperature
- Reactions at the injection site - redness, soreness, mild itching
- The general picture of the malaise is weakness, drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia
All these symptoms disappear within a day at most. If they appear two or three days after the pneumococcal vaccination, then we can say with confidence: the vaccine is definitely not to blame. Obviously, on the day of vaccination, the child or adult already had a slight cold, and a small dose of the drug only accelerated the disease - the same ARVI or flu.
This is why doctors especially insist on examination before any vaccinations: firstly, so as not to provoke the onset of another infectious disease, and secondly, so as not to discredit the very idea of vaccination.
Behavior after vaccination
How to behave after vaccination? Here are some recommendations:
- Rest more on the first day
- If the temperature rises above 38, take an antipyretic - paracetamol or nurofen
- Do not treat the injection site with anything.
- It is quite possible to wash a baby or an adult: water has no effect on the skin around the vaccination
You will definitely need to see a doctor if the temperature persists or, even worse, increases for more than a day, and swelling of more than five centimeters, thickening and discharge appear at the injection site.
What does mass vaccination against pneumonia provide?
Studies show that, subject to mass vaccination campaigns, the incidence of lobar pneumonia, purulent meningitis and other variants of pneumococcal infection decreases by six times.
Vaccinated children and adults are less likely to suffer from other forms of respiratory diseases - influenza, ARVI, bronchitis. The number of otitis media, sinusitis and sore throats is significantly reduced.
Even if pneumococcal infection does occur, the disease is much milder and never ends in death, and the treatment time is significantly shortened. In addition, there is no need to use strong and expensive drugs in therapeutic regimens.
There is another argument in favor of participating in mass vaccinations - purely economic. A dose of the vaccine is very expensive and buying it yourself is ruinous for the family budget. The state covers all costs and provides the opportunity to get vaccinated for free - so why miss it and put yourself at risk of getting seriously ill?
Forms of the disease
Lobar pneumonia
When the lungs are affected, clinically it looks like this:
- Severe cough with chest pain and shortness of breath
- Heat
- Intoxication – weakness, tachycardia
Somewhat later, these symptoms are joined by herpetic rashes on the wings of the nose and around the lips, and sometimes a bluish tint of the skin is noted on the fingertips and around the mouth.
When listening to breathing, the chest on the affected side of the lung “lags behind”; on the first day, characteristic tympanic sounds are heard, which then become dull. On the second day of the disease, dry fine bubbling rales with crepitus become clearly audible in the lungs.
The symptoms of lobar pneumonia depend on the location of the outbreak. Thus, the inflammatory process in the upper lobe of the right lung can add to the picture of the disease phenomena that can be confused with the onset of meningitis:
- Convulsions
- Rigid neck
- Intense headache
- Vomiting
If the focus is in the lower lobe of the right lung, then it provokes the appearance of abdominal pain, which is similar to the symptoms of appendicitis, food poisoning, and pancreatitis. In addition to abdominal pain, patients complain of diarrhea, bloating and belching, which further complicates diagnosis and requires the doctor to be especially careful when interpreting the examination results.
Important! In order not to make a mistake with the diagnosis, the doctor must refer the patient for an x-ray, sputum analysis and a general blood test, which show changes specific to lobar pneumonia.
The peak of the disease occurs approximately on the third day: the cough intensifies, becomes even more painful, and the secreted sputum turns brownish. Shortness of breath becomes more pronounced, cyanosis increases. The temperature can last up to ten days, and the disease itself can last up to three weeks. The body spends up to one and a half months after recovery to restore lung tissues affected by pneumococcal infection.
Purulent meningitis
If the infection enters the brain through the bloodstream, purulent meningitis develops. Doctors recognize it by complaints of a number of neurological disorders - severe headache, tension in the neck muscles - their rigidity, confusion, unsteady gait, photophobia. Patients with purulent meningitis also always have a very high temperature.
Sepsis (bacteremia)
Another dangerous complication of pneumococcal infection is sepsis, total blood poisoning, which is very difficult to combat even with all the wealth of the modern arsenal of strong drugs.
If earlier antibiotics from the penicillin group, macrolides and tetracyclines were quite successful in treating pneumococcus, now the infection practically does not respond to them. So far, only fluoroquinoline drugs have been able to defeat it. The only way to avoid the disease is a pneumococcal vaccination, which “teaches” the body to cope with attacks of infection.
Medical workers unanimously claim that any vaccination is of exceptional benefit to the child’s body. But not all parents agree with this statement. In particular, the Prevenar 13 vaccine has raised many questions.
What are pneumococci?
This is a group of bacteria of the genus Streptococcus pneumonia, which includes about 100 species, a fifth of which quickly adapt to any conditions and are resistant to most modern antibiotics. Infections caused by pneumococci can cause diseases such as:
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis;
- angina;
- otitis;
- bronchitis;
- meningitis;
- endocarditis.
Pneumococcal infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, so it is not difficult to become infected. But the body’s reaction does not always allow one to establish the fact of infection. A person can simply be a carrier without experiencing absolutely any discomfort.
At risk are the elderly, preschool children and people suffering from chronic diseases, as a result of which the general immunity of the body is weakened. Moreover, pneumococci pose the greatest danger to children from 6 months of age who have not yet had time to stock up on antibodies to pneumococci. Until this age, infants are protected by passive immunity received from the mother.
All this provoked the need to develop a vaccine against pneumococcal infection, which was included in the vaccination calendar. Vaccination is indicated for all categories of the population at risk. And early vaccination, which is carried out for children older than two months, saves us from the most dangerous types of pathogens.
Vaccine "Prevenar 13"
The drug is available in the form of a suspension consisting of pneumococcal polysaccharides and a carrier protein. Each polysaccharide is part of a destroyed and, accordingly, greatly weakened bacterium. In the Prevenar vaccine, the developers included 13 serotypes of bacteria that can cause pneumonia and otitis media that are resistant to antibiotics.
As a result of vaccination with Prevenar 13, the body receives a safe amount of antigens. Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies to the resulting polysaccharides, which form immunity to pneumococcal infection. Doctors call this reaction the body's immune response.
As a result of the fight against artificially introduced bacteria, the so-called immune memory is formed in the human body. That is, if the same infection enters the body again, the latter already has a worthy means to combat the disease. But the Prevenar vaccine is capable of forming immunity only to those serotypes of the pathogen that are included in its composition. If another type of infection enters the body, the vaccine will be powerless.
Prevenar 13 is a clinically studied product approved by EU experts. It is as safe as can be.
Indications for vaccination
The introduction of the Prevenar 13 vaccine is a preventive measure aimed at preventing diseases caused by certain serotypes of Streptococcus pneumonia. Children under 5 years of age are most actively vaccinated. First of all, it is recommended to vaccinate children against pneumococcus:
- those born prematurely and transferred to artificial nutrition;
- having developmental delays or birth injuries;
- with convulsive syndrome;
- with congenital or acquired immune deficiency;
- often sick.
Vaccination with Prevenar is indicated for children who often suffer from acute respiratory infections, otitis media and pneumonia. But this does not mean that a child who is constantly exposed to such diseases is infected with pneumococcal infection. And this is not a reason to immediately vaccinate. Everything should happen on the recommendation and under the supervision of a pediatrician.
Before planned immunization, the baby must consult a doctor. At the same time, the pediatrician conducts a thorough examination and finds out whether there are any contraindications for vaccination. For example, the presence of an acute respiratory or other disease associated with even a slight increase in temperature is one of the main stopping factors for administering the vaccine. Taking paracetamol-based drugs on the day of vaccination can reduce the body's immune response. A weak response may also occur due to HIV infection at the time of vaccination and related therapy.
Vaccination procedure and schedule
Prevenar vaccination is usually done in several stages, the duration of each of which depends on the age of the child:
- children 2-6 months vaccinated in 4 stages: the first 3 doses are administered at intervals of a month, and the last at the age of 15 months;
- babies 7-11 months. A 3-fold administration of the vaccine is sufficient: the first two at the same monthly intervals, the last time at the age of two;
- children 12-23 months. the number of administered doses of Prevenar 13 is reduced to two with a rest period of 2-3 months;
- For a child 2-5 years old, a single administration will be sufficient.
If the interval between vaccination stages was forced to increase (for example, due to the child’s illness), additional doses do not need to be administered.
Each dose is 0.5 ml of suspension. And it doesn't change with age. The manufacturer placed the Prevenar vaccine in a disposable syringe, completely ready for the vaccination procedure, at the rate of 1 syringe = 1 dose. The contents of the syringe must not be poured into other containers.
The vaccine is given only intramuscularly:
- for children under 2 years old - in the thigh;
- for an older child - into the shoulder muscle.
Intravenous administration of the vaccine Prevenar 13 is unacceptable! But if the blood clotting process is disrupted in the child’s body, it is possible to replace intramuscular administration with subcutaneous administration.
Important! If the first stage of vaccination was started with the drugs Prevenar and Prevenar 7, then in subsequent stages it is possible to switch to the Prevenar 13 vaccine. But if you started with the last one, then you can only end with it.
After the child has been vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, he should be left under the supervision of a pediatrician for about half an hour. This is necessary when the vaccine is first administered in case of anaphylactic shock and emergency rescue measures. If the previous vaccination went well, such observation is not necessary.
Body reaction and overdose
The bacteria that make up the vaccine, as already mentioned, are greatly weakened. But in any case it is a pathogen. And a normally functioning body simply cannot help but react to such interference. Therefore, the reaction will happen in any case, but it can be acceptable or pathological. Acceptable ones include:
- Redness and induration at the site of vaccine administration. In principle, they occur after any injection or vaccination, because this is a violation of the integrity of muscle mass and skin.
- Increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees.
- Slight chills associated with increased temperature.
- Restlessness, unreasonable whims, lethargy and loss of appetite.
All these manifestations are temporary and go away on their own, without medical help. The main thing is to provide the baby with the most comfortable conditions and peace of mind during this period. But any contact with children should be limited, and it is advisable not to attend kindergarten at this time.
But in some cases, Prevenar vaccination can also cause pathological conditions:
- very high (more than 38 degrees) temperature;
- significant tissue inflammation at the injection site;
- fainting and other disturbances of consciousness;
- increasing reactions within 24 hours after administration of the vaccine.
Here you can hardly do without the help of a specialist. And simply being alone with a child in this state becomes scary for parents. Therefore, if such symptoms occur, immediately contact your pediatrician, who will conduct the necessary examination and relieve acute attacks.
In addition, vaccination can cause some side effects associated with disruption of many body systems:
- hematopoietic;
- nervous;
- immune;
They manifest themselves in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, complete loss of appetite, and in the most severe cases - Quincke's edema. But you hardly need to be afraid of any side effects, since they occur in no more than 5% of cases.
The likelihood of an overdose with Prevenar is practically non-existent, since one syringe contains only 1 dose, adapted for any age of the child.
Care after vaccination
The main thing has already been said - the baby’s peace of mind and limiting contact with other children in order to avoid contracting other infections. Indeed, against the background of a slight malaise, they can cause even more serious consequences.
For hygiene purposes, the injection site can be washed with warm boiled water and wiped with wet wipes in case of significant contamination. It is also recommended not to cover the vaccination site with anything, but to leave it in the open air.
But there are 3 things that are strictly prohibited during this period:
- treatment with any antiseptic agents and alcohol tinctures (iodine, potassium permanganate, brilliant green, etc.);
- applying all kinds of lotions, compresses and vegetable leaves;
- sealing with a plaster or applying a gauze bandage.
Vaccine effectiveness
Scientists have proven that the number of antibodies to pneumococcal infection increases significantly after the first administration of the vaccine, and all subsequent vaccinations only improve the picture, strengthening children's immunity. An immune response was obtained in more than 70% of vaccinated children. Moreover, it turned out that this percentage depends not only on the age and presence of diseases in the child, but also on the country of residence. For example, the effectiveness of the vaccine in American children was about 85%, while in European children it fluctuated between 65 and 80%.
A weak body response was observed in children whose immunity was reduced due to genetic defects, immunomodulatory therapy and chronic diseases (HIV, oncology, etc.).
Before releasing the drug into the world, it underwent numerous studies all over the world. The data obtained indicate that the number of visits and hospitalizations associated with pneumococcal infections has decreased by at least 50%. Moreover, in vaccinated children, the body’s resistance to those strains of pneumococcus that are not included in the Prevenar vaccine increased by 33%.
According to Dr. Komarovsky, known to many mothers, the main advantage of the vaccine is that it is able to protect babies from 2 months, who are the most vulnerable category. But at the same time, the drug should hardly be used on children over 6 years of age, since by this time the child has already developed its own immune defense.
Contraindications
Despite the many positive qualities and successful trials of the drug, not everyone can be vaccinated with Prevenar. The main contraindications for vaccination are:
- the fact of the body's sensitivity to diphtheria toxoid;
- pathological reactions from previous vaccinations with Prevenar;
- any congenital infectious disease.
In the latter case, the child needs to consult a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
The planned vaccination will have to be postponed a little if the baby’s chronic diseases have worsened at the moment, dysbiosis has occurred, the temperature has risen slightly (due to the appearance of the same teeth, for example) or if the child is in a state of stress. All this, to one degree or another, reduces the protective functions of the immune system, so the introduction of an additional pathogen can significantly aggravate the situation.
After the child’s health has returned to normal, you need to maintain a short period of rest and only then carry out the next stage of vaccination. For minor deviations, this period should be a month to a month and a half, but after suffering from serious illnesses (hepatitis, pneumonia, etc.) it must be maintained for at least six months.
Interaction with other vaccines
Vaccination with Prevenar is often prescribed simultaneously with DTP. In principle, these two vaccines do not conflict. But any parent needs to know that with such joint administration the percentage of complications and adverse reactions was higher. The same can be said about vaccines against hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae.
In general, there are no contraindications for simultaneous administration of the drug with other vaccinations. Except as stated above. The main thing is that different vaccines do not mix with each other, and that the vaccine is given to different parts of the body.
Prevenar 7 or 13? What to choose? Are there any analogues?
The Prevenar vaccine is capable of forming the body’s immunological memory, which allows it to protect the vaccinated person for a long time. In addition, it forms the immunity of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. The only difference between the 7- and 13-valent vaccines is the number of strains of pneumococcal infection it contains. "Prevenar 7" contains 7 serotypes of pneumococcus, and "Prevenar 13", respectively, 13 species.
Clinical studies have shown that the first generation Prevenar vaccine, containing 7 strains of the virus, is indeed capable of protecting the body from the seven most common types of pneumococcal infection. Prevenar 13 also stimulates the immune system to protect against the same main types of infection. But does it protect against 6 additional serotypes of the virus? There is no clear answer to this question yet. Numerous studies have documented the body's response to combat these 6 additional strains, but this effect is not yet sustainable. Therefore, it is not yet possible to recommend either of these two vaccines.
But if we are talking about protecting the body from the insidious pneumococcus, it is worth paying attention to a drug with a similar effect - “Pneumo 23” (manufacturer - France). The product contains 23 serotypes of pneumococcal infection, 10 of which are intended to protect the adult and elderly population. But, unlike Prevenar, the vaccine contains exclusively polysaccharides that are not combined with a carrier protein. For this reason, the Pneumo 23 vaccine is not capable of forming immunological memory and protects the body for only 3-5 years, after which revaccination is necessary. The vaccine is a worthy alternative to Prevenar, which also costs much less.
Another option is Belgian-made Synflorix. This is a 10-valent vaccine, the virus strains in which are conjugated to a carrier protein.
Pneumonia as an isolated disease is quite rare; more often it occurs as a complication of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, prevention of such diseases is one of the ways to solve the problem. There are a number of drugs whose effect is similar to the drug "Prevenar". The most common of them are Broncho-munal, Ribomunil and IRS 19.
Vaccination of the population helps to strengthen the immune system and resist infections, but many refuse it due to side effects on the body. Therefore, you need to know about the reaction to the Prevenar vaccine against pneumococcus, which was introduced as a recommendation in 2014. The need for such a vaccination arose due to the increasing incidence of diseases - pneumonia, otitis media, bronchitis, tonsillitis, sepsis. And antibiotics cannot cope with the infection due to the addiction to them.
Vaccination of children and adults is used so that the body can fight back bacteria that cause serious diseases. Doctors inform you about what the Prevenar vaccine helps with and how it affects the body.
Inside the suspension for vaccination are variants of streptococcus, which includes particles of pneumococcus and diphtheria protein. The number 13 indicates the number of variants of serotypes that cause the development of complex infections in the human body.
Once in the human body, the drug prepares it to face infection. After vaccination, cells remember information about the stranger. And they will react to the presence of pneumococcus in the body by releasing antibodies to fight the cells of foreign bacteria.
Against pneumococcal infections, especially in children, Prevenar 13 is one hundred percent effective.
Features of the vaccine
Among infectious diseases, pneumococcal disease occurs in 80 percent of cases. It causes pneumonia, and also leads to meningitis, sepsis, and otitis. Among young children, pneumococcus spreads through airborne droplets, causing death in some children. Susceptibility to infection is detected in:
- children under two years old;
- premature babies;
- children with respiratory pathologies, immunodeficiency, diabetes;
- patients with allergic reactions.
To prevent infection and reduce possible complications, vaccination with Prevenar 13 is used.
The suspension is diluted and administered intramuscularly to children from the age of two months.
The vaccine is not mixed with other drugs. But they vaccinate together with others, with DPT, giving injections in different parts of the body.
Prevenar 13 is tolerated without complications. But in some children, the Prevenar vaccine causes the body to respond to pneumococcus in the form of swelling at the injection site. A reaction such as an increase in temperature to the Prevenar vaccine also appears.
To avoid unexpected reactions of the body, the vaccinated child is under the supervision of a pediatrician. After vaccination, a child’s temperature does not last more than a day. If it does not decrease, then you should urgently consult a doctor. There have been no cases of anaphylactic shock after vaccination.
Analogues of the vaccine Prevenar 13
The pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar can be replaced with analogues with a similar effect:
- Pneumo 23 is produced in France. The vaccine contains 23 serological types of pneumococcus. The syringe contains a single dose of the drug. The graft is placed in the shoulder or thigh muscle. Vaccination together with other DPT vaccinations is possible. After a month, the patient develops immunity against pneumococcal infections. The vaccine is given not only to children, but also to adults up to 64 years of age.
- To prevent diseases, the second generation vaccine Synflorix is used. It contains ten antigens of bacteria of the streptococcal group. In addition to these infections, the vaccine forms an immune response to Haemophilus influenzae. Children are vaccinated from two months to two years.
The main vaccination is Prevenar 13 with a wide spectrum of action. All pneumococcal vaccines are actively used, because drugs against bacteria cannot cope with the infection due to the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to them. We can only hope for vaccination.
How effective is vaccination?
The preventive effect of vaccination against pneumococcus will be effective and the reaction to Prevenar 13 will decrease if you follow a number of rules:
- Before the vaccine is administered, the child is carefully examined by a pediatrician and, if necessary, is prescribed tests.
- After the procedure, the injection site should not be wetted with water. A day later the child is bathed.
- Walking is allowed only in comfortable weather. It is better to avoid crowded places and visiting guests for a while to prevent contact with carriers of pathogenic bacteria.
- The child's nutrition continues according to the old scheme, without introducing new foods. Allergies occur to unfamiliar foods.
Prevenar 13 vaccination is given to children and adults. Over the age of two years, the drug is injected into the shoulder muscle. For small ones - in the thigh.
Each child's reaction to vaccination is individual. Some tolerate it easily without side effects, while others have a hard time.
Indications for use
Protecting the baby from pneumococcal infection is the main goal of vaccination with Prevenar 13. If we talk about infants, then a vaccination injection is given to those who have a weakened body. This applies to children born ahead of schedule. In order for the child’s body to resist streptococci in the first months of life, this can be achieved through vaccination. Administration of the drug is indicated for adults, those with:
- age over 65 years;
- diagnosed with diabetes;
- the liver functions poorly due to cirrhosis;
- the body is weakened by immunodeficiency;
- pathologies of the lungs, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.
But there are contraindications to vaccination. They must be taken into account when referring a patient for pneumococcal vaccination.
Contraindications to the use of Prevenar 13
There are prohibitions on the use of Prevenar. You should not give injections of the drug to those who:
- has increased sensitivity to the substance identified during the previous vaccination;
- infected with an acute infection;
- has complications after an illness.
An allergy as a reaction to the Prevenar vaccine can become an obstacle to vaccination. Women should be vaccinated with caution during pregnancy and lactation. It is better to refuse vaccination at this time in order to protect yourself and the fetus from possible consequences. In the development of complications, an important role is played by intolerance not only to the main components of the drug, but also to additional ones - aluminum phosphate, sodium chloride.
Directions for use and dosage for children and adolescents
From the options for using a prophylactic suspension, choose the one that suits a particular person. The regimen depends on the age of the patient. Doctors believe that children over three years of age and adults under 60 years of age do not need to be vaccinated with Prevenar. Their body has developed immunity to the diseases that the patients suffered from.
The vaccination schedule for children from 2 to 6 months of age is as follows: vaccination is done three times with an interval of four weeks.
For babies at the age of seven months, immunization is carried out twice.
The vaccination schedule for children from one to two years of age is similar. Vaccinated once, they receive Prevenar again a month or two later.
A child over 2 years old is not given a second vaccination. Revaccination is carried out once a year, regardless of the patient’s age.
Since the drug is available in the form of a suspension in a disposable syringe, there is no need to dose it. The liquid is transparent, without impurities and cloudiness. Shake the syringe before injection.
Administration occurs intramuscularly, the drug Prevenar is given:
- for children under two years of age in the upper part of the thigh from the outside;
- for children from two years of age, teenagers and adults - in the shoulder area, deltoid muscle;
- cannot be given intravenously;
- It is not recommended to inject into the buttock muscle.
The needle enters the muscle completely so that the solution has its preventive effect on the patient’s body.
Side effects after vaccination
Usually the Prevenar vaccine does not cause any reaction. Possible reactions to vaccination include:
- increased body temperature;
- a third of patients experience pain in the injection area or tissue swelling;
- irritability, lethargy, drowsiness;
- nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite.
If you have a fever after vaccination with Prevenar, this is considered normal. You should be concerned when the temperature remains high for more than 2–3 days. Complications after vaccination may include seizures and respiratory arrest. Such consequences appear if contraindications for drug administration are not taken into account.
After a month, the vaccine will begin to act, and diseases caused by pneumococcus will disappear from the baby.
What do doctors not always tell you?
Before vaccination, patients who are prone to allergic reactions pose a great danger. Warn the doctor about this before the procedure. If the condition before immunization requires an examination or tests, then these procedures are carried out without fail.
Revaccination is carried out for adults after 12 months, for children under two years old - from four to eight months.
The peculiarity of the vaccine is that it stimulates the body’s defenses a month after vaccination. The drug should not be stored in the freezer. The vaccine in the syringe is taken fresh.
Thanks to the Prevenar 13 vaccination, children and adults will protect their bodies from pneumonia, otitis, and complications of infection - meningitis, sepsis. For most people, vaccination is a lifesaver.