Measles is an acute infectious disease transmitted by airborne droplets. It affects the skin and upper respiratory tract. Measles is especially dangerous in childhood, therefore, a special vaccine against this disease has been used all over the world for several decades. One way or another, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination, since the procedure does not always go without consequences.
How is measles vaccination carried out in the Russian Federation
To date, the following vaccines of Russian and foreign production are used in the Russian Federation:
- against measles (dry measles vaccine, Aventis Pasteur);
- two-component measles-mumps vaccine (Mumps-measles vaccine, Merck Sharp & Dohme);
- three-component measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (Priorix, Smithkline Beecham Biologicals).
Despite the different composition of vaccines, they all demonstrate a good level of immunogenicity (formation of protective immunity) and tolerance. The only difference is that imported drugs are made on the basis of chicken egg embryos, and therefore are not suitable for people with an allergic reaction to chicken protein. Russian vaccines are made on the basis of Japanese quail embryos and are hypoallergenic, therefore, they are prescribed to most patients.
Vaccination against measles (as well as against mumps and rubella) is carried out in accordance with the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations, which is approved by the government of the Russian Federation. Currently, vaccinations are given to children at the age of 12 months (after the disappearance of maternal antibodies in the body, previously transmitted through the placenta) and 6 years (at the end of preschool age).
Additionally, routine vaccination is carried out among children aged 15 to 17 years, as well as adults under the age of 35, if they have not been previously vaccinated or do not have information about measles vaccinations. Persons previously vaccinated once are subject to a single immunization (the interval between vaccinations should be at least three months).
Vaccination procedure
In accordance with medical instructions, measles vaccine is administered subcutaneously under the scapula or intramuscularly into the shoulder area (the doctor determines the specific injection site). If it is necessary to use several monovaccines at the same time, they should be injected into different parts of the body with separate syringes. Combination vaccines are drawn in one syringe.
The child's parents are given the right to choose the vaccine to be administered, but only drugs purchased by the Ministry of Health are provided free of charge. In case of refusal from these vaccines, the purchase of new drugs is made by the parents at their own expense. The procedure is carried out both in citywide hospitals and in numerous vaccination centers, representatives of which are required to provide all the necessary information about each of the available vaccines.
Benefits of measles vaccination
The main advantage of the current measles vaccine is its effectiveness. After two routine childhood vaccinations, the likelihood of contracting measles subsequently decreases to virtually 1%. The body gains protective immunity by suppressing the injected vaccine antigens as if it were a normal wild measles virus.
Another plus of the vaccine is the almost complete absence of negative consequences. Most children and adults do not even notice a temporary deterioration in well-being. At the same time, water procedures and sunbathing are allowed, and for adults there is no prohibition on the use of alcohol later.
Unlike some other vaccinations, measles vaccination is allowed even if there are no records of previous procedures, and the person simply does not remember whether he had them or not. In addition, according to the document of the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations, it is allowed to administer measles vaccines simultaneously with other calendar and extra-calendar vaccines (except for vaccines for the prevention of tuberculosis). This means that several necessary vaccinations can be given on one day at once, provided that they are performed with different syringes in different parts of the body.
Downsides of measles vaccination
Any vaccination, including against measles, can cause the body to react to the virus introduced in small quantities. For several days in a row, a person may have a fever, as well as an allergic reaction in the form of redness of the injection site. In this regard, the vaccine is not suitable for people with malignant blood diseases, neoplasms and various problems with immunity.
In rare cases, the following post-vaccination complications are possible:
- anaphylactic shock (a sharp drop in blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances);
- afebrile seizures;
- encephalitic reaction (serous meningitis).
However, according to the law, in the event of post-vaccination complications, citizens are subject to social protection. In case of deterioration of health, the state is obliged to pay the victim or his relatives an allowance in the amount of 10 thousand rubles, and in case of death - 30 thousand rubles. People who have received a disability due to poor-quality or incorrectly administered vaccinations are assigned a lifetime monthly payment of 1,000 rubles.
Vaccination against measles (mumps, rubella) has many contraindications, which include:
- acute infectious and non-infectious diseases in any phase (the procedure is postponed until remission or recovery),
- pregnancy;
- the presence of an allergy to aminoglycosides;
- allergy to chicken protein (depends on the type of vaccine used, if it is made on the basis of chicken eggs);
- primary immunodeficiency,
- malignant neoplasms and blood diseases,
- complications of the previous vaccine administration (hyperthermia, hyperemia).
One way or another, measles vaccination is strongly recommended for childhood, although it is not mandatory. The risk of contracting the virus before the age of 7 is quite high: enough close contact with any of its carriers. It is also highly likely that the body affected by the infection will not be able to develop sufficient immunity against it, and this is fraught with various complications, including death.
Modern varieties of vaccines against measles and similar diseases in terms of symptoms are distinguished by a fairly safe composition, and the vaccination procedure itself can be carried out in any public medical institution. It is imperative to complete it in accordance with the National Vaccination Schedule and to ensure that successful vaccinations are recorded on the appropriate medical record.
