Vaccination against measles: appointment, consequences and contraindications

Currently, measles vaccination is the only correct method of preventing this infection. It was due to the fact that the measles vaccine became mandatory, it was possible to reduce the number of people who fell ill by hundreds of times. For example, in the US, where all are vaccinated against measles, this disease is almost never found. But in some countries in Africa, where measles is not vaccinated, there is still a very high level of infant mortality and serious complications. Now the UN is very active in introducing mandatory vaccination in all countries to save people from measles and its complications.

In Russia, measles vaccination is included in the calendar of preventive vaccinations. The first time it is usually done at the age of 12-15 months, and revaccination is carried out at 6 years, on the eve of the child's arrival in school.

An anti-measles vaccine is created based on weakened measles viruses. Although they are alive, but the disease itself can not cause, but will form a good immunity for years to come. The baby may have mild measles symptoms that will soon pass. In the post-vaccination period, a person poses no threat to children, adults, or even pregnant women.

In case of contact of an unvaccinated person with a sick measles at any age (from 3 months), an emergency preventive vaccination is introduced, which will help to resist the disease. However, its validity is only a few months, since it is passive immunization, so the vaccines planned in the future are still being conducted.

Particular attention should be paid to women who are only planning a pregnancy. The fact is that the body's resistance to viruses is different, therefore it is advisable to pass tests for the detection of antibodies to measles. If there is no immunity to measles, then a second measles vaccine is needed, which should be done before pregnancy, in order to reduce all the risks associated with this dangerous disease. As in the case of small children, passive immunization is indicated in an emergency case of a pregnant woman.

A measles vaccine can be injected at a time with any other vaccination. However, if immediately additional injection did not occur, then the next inoculation should be done no earlier than a month later. Usually this vaccine is combined with vaccinations from mumps and rubella (PDA).

Vaccination against measles: consequences

Each vaccination, like any other medical product, has its risks and side effects. But we must always weigh in which case the risks are more serious. So, for example, the consequences of measles are much heavier than the reactions of the body to the introduction of the appropriate vaccination.

Among the common risks: fever, coughing, rashes, swelling of the salivary glands and testicles in boys (the latter is more typical for a complex PDC vaccine, which is most often vaccinated by children). These symptoms can manifest for up to two weeks. Sometimes children from a high fever have convulsions, which can be prevented by timely knocking it down. In very rare cases (less than one in a million), severe reactions to vaccination occur, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and deafness.

Vaccination against measles: contraindications

• It is better not to vaccinate if the child is characterized by severe allergic reactions to chicken eggs, kanamycin, neomycin;
• It is better to postpone the vaccination if the child has recently had a fever with a high fever, no more than one year ago received blood products, or was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia.

When choosing whether to get a measles vaccine for a child or not, be sure to weigh the pros and cons, consider what the risks are after the introduction of the vaccine, and what can happen if you refuse and do not vaccinate in time for your baby. Remember, it is easier to prevent the disease than to treat it later and to deal with complications.