Influenza vaccination for children: opinions of doctors

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Influenza is an acute infectious respiratory viral disease. The main danger is the development of serious complications that can lead to death. Young children are at risk, as their disease is much more difficult than in adults. Therefore, doctors recommend getting vaccinated annually. Before doing this, you should examine all the pros and cons of getting flu shots for children.

Why flu is dangerous

There are 4 types of influenza virus in total: A, B, C and D. Only the first 2 types are found in humans. The most dangerous and common strain is A. Antibodies in the body appear only on the strain that a person has had. Immunity to the disease persists with type A influenza - 3 years, with type B - up to 6 years.

The most common complications of this disease include:

• positive outcome - possible with rapid development;
• brain damage;
• pathologies of internal organs develop (most often the heart suffers);
• otitis;
• frontal;
• sinusitis;
• pneumonia.

The most common complications occur in children under 6 years of age. Experts explain this by the fact that the immune system at this age is not yet working at full strength.

How Often Is The Flu Vaccine Needed?

Experts recommend getting a flu shot for children every year. This is due to the fact that the virus constantly mutates, and the antibodies in the body become ineffective. International research centers evaluate new strains annually, on the basis of which the World Health Organization issues recommendations on the composition of the vaccine for the next season.

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Depending on the drug, the protective function in the child's body is active from 6 to 12 months.

Indications for vaccination

Doctors recommend getting vaccinated annually for all age groups, without exception, starting at 6 months. But there are indications in which flu vaccination for children is mandatory. These include:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• kidney pathology;
• HIV;
• chronic pathologies of the respiratory system;
• a weakened immune system;
• too frequent acute respiratory infections.

Before vaccination, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination, during which the doctor examines the child's medical history and the general condition of his body.

Types of vaccinations and their effectiveness

When choosing a vaccine, it is necessary to carefully study all types of drugs used in the Russian Federation in order to assess their effectiveness and possible side effects on the child's body.

Russian medicine currently uses 4 groups of drugs for influenza vaccination. These include:

1. Virosomal. The composition contains the following active substances - antigens, lipids and surface proteins. The drugs in this group are fully consistent with the influenza virus, but at the same time they are absolutely safe. Unfortunately, they are not currently used for mass vaccination.
2. Subunit. The active ingredients are neuraminidase and hemagglitinin. The drugs in this group are quite effective and give a minimum of side effects.
3. Split vaccines. The composition contains the surface and internal proteins of the virus. They are known for their good protective properties against influenza and a minimal set of adverse reactions.
4. Whole virions. Contains neutralized influenza viruses. Indications for use are from 3 years old. Drugs of this group are practically not used, since they often give strong allergic reactions.

For vaccination of children, only drugs from the groups of subunit and split vaccines are used.

The names of the vaccines that are most often used in Russia are: Sovigripp, Grippovac, Grippol, Influvac.

When to get the flu shot

Experts warn that it is necessary to get vaccinated before the start of the cold season, when the air temperature drops to 3-5 ° C. Usually during this period the school year begins, during which children spend a long time in crowded rooms with dry air. This factor becomes the main factor for the beginning of the massive spread of the infection.

Since a child's immunity to the influenza virus develops within 2-4 weeks, doctors recommend starting vaccination in late September-early September. For small children aged 6 months to 3 years, the drug is administered twice with an interval of at least 28 days. At an older age, one injection will be sufficient.

Can several vaccinations be given at the same time?

Many parents are concerned about the question: what to do if the flu vaccination coincides with the calendar vaccinations. Doctors advise not to worry, since joint vaccination does not affect the child's health in any way.

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On the contrary, if he often suffers from respiratory diseases, then it will be optimal to combine the flu vaccine for children with the HIB vaccine or pneumococcal. Thanks to this combination, the child acquires strong immunity and will not get the flu, even with close contact with an infected person.

Contraindications

Since drugs often contain components that protect against several strains of influenza, the contraindications to their use are the same. These include:

• a child's allergy to chicken protein;
• exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
• acute infectious diseases;
• allergic even to one component of the vaccine.

When choosing the most effective drug, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.

It is not recommended to give a flu shot to those children who have had ARVI less than 30 days before treatment.

Side effects

It is recommended to weigh the pros and cons of influenza vaccination for children, as it can have some side effects. They usually go away on their own.

These include:

• redness and swelling at the injection site;
• sore throat and redness;
• runny nose;
• general malaise;
• tonsillitis;
• slight increase in temperature;
• muscle aches.

In rare cases, allergic reactions are noted. To remove their manifestation, doctors recommend giving the child an antihistamine, and with a significant increase in temperature (above 38-38, 5 °) - antipyretic.

It is important to remember that if the child's condition after the flu shot has deteriorated significantly, then you must immediately call an ambulance.

Outcomes

Many parents are afraid to vaccinate their child for fear of a severe reaction. But, according to doctors, if you follow all the recommendations, then it will help increase the body's resistance to the influenza virus and other acute respiratory viral infections. A thorough examination before vaccination can help reduce the risk of side effects.