What is a vaccination?
Vaccination is the introduction of weakened viruses into the human body as part of immunobiological medicines. The administered drug promotes the fight between healthy cells of the body and infected ones. By defeating weakened microbes, the immune system will become stronger and the body will be able to resist real diseases.
Any vaccinations, whether at 4 months or 1 month, do not guarantee that a person will not get the infection for which they were vaccinated. But immunoprophylaxis can ease the course of the disease, speed up the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of side effects.
Many vaccines are a mixture of vaccines given together.
According to their focus, vaccines are divided into groups:
- Viral - from rubella, mumps, hepatitis, polio, measles, etc.
- Bacterial - from tuberculosis, tetanus, whooping cough, etc.
Immunization can be planned - one that is done according to a schedule of 7 days, 1, 3, 4 months.
In the event of an epidemic, vaccinations are given to everyone who is at risk of infection.
Some vaccines provide long-lasting immunity to viruses, while others require multiple rounds of vaccination to ensure the body has enough antibodies to fight it off. If the level of antibodies gradually decreases, a repeat procedure will be introduced - revaccination.
Russian vaccination calendar
In Russia, there is an immunization schedule that gives average rates for administering vaccines to children. It was approved by the Ministry of Health in 2007. Naturally, one cannot rely strictly on this provision; each case is individual; a parent has the right to do one type of vaccination, but not agree to another. If possible, you should adhere to the age at which the vaccine is recommended.
The time interval between vaccinations is important. Intervals and schedules for administering complex vaccines are observed, as with timely immunoprophylaxis. You cannot give the next vaccination less than 2 weeks after the previous one!
Vaccination against cervical cancer
Cervical cancer, unfortunately, is a fairly common disease nowadays.
And the majority of those affected are women over the age of 30. Since cervical cancer is a disease of an infectious nature, scientists have developed a special vaccine against the human papillomavirus. Vaccination done before sexual activity is very likely to protect against cervical cancer by preventing the development of viruses in the body. The vaccination is performed in three doses. The second and third doses should be administered 2 and 6 months after the first.
At GMS Clinic you can consult with experienced gynecologists about vaccination and, if necessary, get vaccinated.
What vaccinations are given at 4 months?
Growing up, the baby communicates more and more with the world around him. For this reason, he becomes more susceptible to the risk of contracting any infection. If there are no contraindications, a series of vaccines is recommended.
Vaccinations at 4 months are performed, as at 3 months, against 4 diseases:
- Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Accompanied by inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract, including disruption of normal breathing and damage to the mucous membranes of the throat. In contact with a sick person, a healthy person will become infected with a 90% probability. There is no innate immunity against this type of disease, but after recovery the body gains protection for the rest of its life. This infection is especially dangerous for children under 2 years of age.
- Diphtheria is a dangerous infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, and sometimes the skin, visual and genital organs. Diphtheria is dangerous due to the toxin produced by the diphtheria bacillus. This bacterium poisons the body, disrupting the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular and excretory systems. Children aged 3 to 7 years are especially at risk.
- Tetanus is an infectious disease that affects people and all warm-blooded animals. It develops from the bacteria Clostridium tetani entering open wounds. It is also present in the intestines of humans and animals, but there it does not cause harm to the carrier. The virus is not dangerous if swallowed; when it enters the bloodstream, the pathogen produces a strong toxin. The mortality rate for this type of disease among all cases of infection is 80%, in children under one year of age - 95%.
- Poliomyelitis is a disease primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by any route. The disease affects the spinal cord and causes paralysis of organs, most often the legs. Complete paralysis of the body can develop within a few hours. There is no cure for polio; even if life is saved, the consequences remain forever.
For the first three diseases, a complex vaccine called DTP is given. The adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccination is repeated at 4–5 months, the first immunization is carried out at 3 months. DTP is the most complex childhood vaccine; it causes many allergic reactions; the child must be healthy before the procedure. But it protects against three deadly diseases, so consent to it is more than justified. If there is intolerance, DPT can be replaced with an imported analogue.
The polio vaccine is administered in two ways: intramuscularly and orally. At 4 months, the vaccine is usually administered through a syringe into the muscle.
A total of 3 vaccinations are performed through the muscle and 3 revaccinations in the form of drops.
B
In the very first days of life, while still in the maternity hospital, the child is given two vaccinations at once. Within 12 hours of birth, a vaccination against viral hepatitis B, an infectious liver disease, is carried out. It repeats at 1 month and at 6 months. It is done intramuscularly into the thigh. This vaccination is currently mandatory in our country. The reason for this is the widespread spread of this dangerous disease. It is easily transmitted through blood. Contact with a microscopic dried droplet of infected blood is enough. Among the consequences of the illness are extremely dangerous complications: cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Thanks to vaccination, a person’s immunity against hepatitis B lasts up to 22 years of age.
Preparation
In order for immunoprophylaxis to go smoothly at any childhood, it is best to prepare and not neglect basic methods of protection. This will help protect the baby from possible unpleasant complications.
Regardless of which vaccinations are given at 4 months, the preparation process is almost identical:
- Children prone to allergies are required to take antihistamines 2-3 days before the procedure. Non-allergy sufferers are also recommended to take these medications.
- Before the first DTP, it is necessary to take a general blood and urine test to make sure that the indicators allow vaccination and there is no hidden inflammatory process. If possible, it is recommended to get tested before each vaccination.
- A week before the planned procedure, new complementary foods cannot be introduced; nursing mothers are prohibited from eating new or allergy-causing foods.
- If during early examinations the baby showed any health abnormalities, it is necessary to re-visit the specialist who determined this. The doctor will give his opinion and give recommendations regarding the timeliness of the injection.
- A few hours before the vaccine is given, you can give your child a pain reliever.
This will not only reduce the likelihood of a rise in temperature, but will also relieve the patient’s unpleasant pain, especially after DPT. - Before going outside, you should measure your child’s temperature, excluding even slight increases. The child must be dressed for the weather so that he does not freeze or overheat on the way home.
- Immediately before vaccination, you need to visit a pediatrician.
The pediatrician must, based on tests and his own examination, give an opinion on the possibility of vaccinating the child. The last word always remains with the parents.
Measles, rubella, mumps
At one year old, the baby is vaccinated against measles, rubella and mumps. Like DTP, the vaccine is combined. Repeated vaccination (re-vaccination) is done at the age of 7 years.
The entire “trinity” are dangerous viral diseases. They are transmitted by airborne droplets. Mumps or “mumps” is especially insidious. It is especially dangerous for boys - the disease suffered in childhood can lead to infertility. Medicines against these diseases have not yet been invented. The only way to avoid getting infected is vaccination in childhood.
Procedure
The weakened virus, entering the body, awakens “healthy cells” and prepares them for future possible diseases. To destroy infectious antibodies, the immune system produces special substances. After which the person becomes immune to the viruses of a particular disease.
The vaccine is administered in several ways: most often intramuscularly, but also intradermally, subcutaneously, and cutaneously. Some are dropped into the nose or mouth.
The second DPT vaccination at 4 months is given into the muscle, just like the first time. Most often, the injection is performed in the front of the thigh, less often in the buttock.
This vaccination is painful, and if done incorrectly, a lump may occur. During the procedure, it is important to hold the baby tightly so that he does not turn his head or wave his arms. Otherwise he may get hurt.
What polio vaccination will be scheduled at 4 months? This will be the second injection; before this, a similar procedure was required at 3 months of age. The timing of immunization may shift, but one condition is important: a period of 45 days must be maintained between the first three vaccines. If the intervals are longer than this period, then the course is not interrupted, but in any case continues.
After three vaccines, a revaccination course begins. According to the Russian vaccination calendar, it is performed at the ages of 18, 20 months and 14 years.
The polio vaccine can be given via an intramuscular injection using killed germs. It is also possible to administer live attenuated poliovirus orally.
BCG – against tuberculosis
Between the 3rd and 7th day of life, the baby will receive another vaccination - BCG. It is done in the maternity hospital, just like the hepatitis B vaccination. The vaccine is administered intradermally, into the left shoulder. A small scar remains for life. In our country, almost all children and adults have it. Revaccination is carried out at the age of 6-7 years.
BCG is a vaccine against tuberculosis. What does tuberculosis have to do with it, even if it’s in the name?
Is there no such letter? I was also interested in this question. It turns out that the bacillus is called after the first letters of the surnames of two Frenchmen - microbiologist Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin, a veterinarian. Calmette is originally written as Calmett - the first Latin letter in this word is read in Russian as “C”. And Guerin begins with the letter “G”, in Russian it is read as “Zh”. Hence the name - BCG. A vaccine is being prepared from a strain of bovine tuberculosis bacillus, weakened and harmless to humans. Now it becomes clear why a veterinarian had a hand in its creation. The vaccine has been given to children in Europe since the 1920s. Since the middle of the last century, it has become mandatory in many countries.
After the procedure
The introduction of any vaccine is a great stress for the body, which is why it is given only to absolutely healthy children. Immediately after the procedure you cannot leave the medical facility; you must wait at least half an hour. During this time, the child’s condition and behavior are monitored.
After vaccination at 4 months, it is not recommended to go for a walk on the same day; the baby’s body has already received a heavy load and is busy developing immunity. The next day after administering the vaccine by mouth, if there are no negative reactions, you can go outside with your child. It is advisable to avoid visiting crowded places.
If after the adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccination at 4 months the temperature does not rise and allergic reactions are not observed, then on the second day after the injection the child can be taken out into the fresh air. The walk should be no more than an hour, at a comfortable temperature and favorable weather conditions.
Regardless of what vaccination a child has at 4 months, if it is administered intramuscularly, you cannot swim for three days after it. If the weather is particularly hot and no negative reactions are observed, the baby can be rinsed with water at room temperature. The main thing is not to steam the injection site.
When introducing attenuated infectious agents orally, it is forbidden to eat for an hour after the procedure.
How to prepare for vaccination?
It is worth going for any vaccination only if the child is completely healthy. No cough, no runny nose. You need to monitor this especially carefully before DPT. If the vaccination period has come, and the baby is sick or has not fully recovered from the illness, you should not go for vaccination. In this case, the doctor gives a medical exemption from vaccination and individually reviews the schedule for subsequent immunization.
It is recommended to give the child an antihistamine 1 or 2 days before the vaccination. This is necessary to relieve allergic reactions. Suitable, for example, Erius, Fenistil, Tavegil. Before going to the clinic, you need to take your temperature. At home, you should definitely keep antipyretics on hand: syrup, suppositories - depending on your age and your preferences. After vaccination, for 2 days and especially at night, it is necessary to monitor the baby’s temperature and, if it rises, bring it down.
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Vaccination is voluntary. By law, you can refuse one, several, or all vaccinations if you do not see a need for them. This can be done at a medical institution by writing a statement. But before you take such a step, you need to weigh the pros and cons and consult with a doctor you trust. Your friends, acquaintances, and public figures may be against vaccinations. But people with medical education who oppose vaccinations are extremely rare.
Possible reactions of a child to vaccinations at 4 months
At 4-4.5 months, a second course of immunoprophylaxis is usually performed, so that the child’s parents are already aware of what reaction to expect from a particular vaccine. But even healthy children with no contraindications may experience reactions. Many of them are considered normal and mean that the body is successfully fighting the introduced microbes:
- One of the most common reactions of a 4-month-old child is fever after DTP and polio vaccination when administered with a syringe. But if there is a slight increase, there is no need to worry; you can give an antipyretic to reduce the fever.
If the temperature is above 38.5 and does not decrease when taking the medicine, it is better to consult a doctor. - In addition to fever, after vaccination at 4 months, babies experience an allergic reaction. It is accompanied by a rash and redness of the skin. Most often, DTP, which has a complex composition, is to blame for this.
- When an inactivated vaccine is administered, there may be thickening and redness at the injection site, as well as swelling in the form of a lump. An iodine grid and the application of cabbage leaves help.
- Children often experience drowsiness, apathy and lack of appetite after complex vaccinations. This behavior is considered normal and will go away in 2-3 days.
- In some cases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, and vomiting are possible.
DTP - three in one
DTP - behind these letters there are 3 vaccines against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. This combined vaccination is given at three months through an injection in the thigh (intramuscular). “Akadeeska” is repeated when the baby turns 4.5 months old. Then it is done again - every six months. The interval between vaccinations against these infections in the first year of life is one and a half months. Then the vaccine is given at 1.5 years. The next ones are at 7 and 14 years old. Then you need to be vaccinated every 10 years.
Vaccination has been done for many years, dating back to the 1940s. Some parents, who in principle have nothing against vaccinations, are wary of this particular vaccine. They believe that such a number of components puts too much stress on the body. This question also bothered me when my son was about to have this vaccination for the first time: “What, 3 vaccines at once?” But it turns out that it is not the number of elements that is important, but their compatibility. In addition, it is much more convenient to do everything at once and not have to go to the clinic again. The only component that can cause a reaction in the body is whooping cough. If a child has progressive diseases of the nervous system, DPT is replaced with a lighter version - DPT - a vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria. She has no contraindications. The only exception is an allergic reaction to a previous similar vaccination, but since it is given for the first time at this age, such data cannot yet be available.
All three diseases are very dangerous. Until the 1950s, when mass vaccination was not carried out, every fifth child in the country became infected with diphtheria, and half of the sick children died. Tetanus was less common in those years, but the mortality rate from it was very high - more than 80%. Whooping cough, although not so dangerous, was also very common; almost all Soviet children suffered from it in those years.
Of course, DTP is the most difficult vaccination of all that a baby will receive in the first year of life. After it, allergic reactions in the form of redness, itching and fever are observed in almost every third child. But doctors do not recommend refusing vaccination, since a couple of days with a fever is not comparable to the serious consequences of diseases that unvaccinated children are at risk of contracting.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to administer any vaccine if the child is sick, even if there is only snot. The period since the last illness should be at least 2 weeks. Also, vaccination is not allowed if there is diarrhea or vomiting.
What vaccination should not be given at 4 months if there are problems with the nervous system? This is DTP; its anti-pertussis component is especially dangerous. Sometimes in such situations, the doctor prescribes the ADS vaccine.
If a severe allergic reaction was previously observed after such a vaccine, then it is necessary to abandon it or replace it with a more gentle one. It is worth paying attention to an increase in temperature above 38.5 degrees, swelling at the injection site.
If a child has congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, it is necessary to refuse vaccination, since such children have very unstable reactions to vaccinations.
Taking the polio vaccine orally is contraindicated for babies intolerant to chicken protein.
Polio
Children are usually vaccinated against polio along with DTP. This disease is an acute viral infection that affects the gray matter of the spinal cord. As a result, spinal paralysis develops. The infection is contagious and is transmitted through dirty hands, food, and water. As a result, muscle atrophy, deformation of bones, spine and general or partial paralysis develop. Only 20-30% of those infected with polio recover completely, and 10% die from the infection. All others remain permanently disabled.
Differences between Russian and imported products
If the baby had negative and severe reactions during the first stage of vaccination, it is natural that the mother will want to protect him from this next time. Foreign-made vaccines can help avoid fever and allergies after vaccination at 4 months. Imported drugs have reduced reactogenicity; when using them, children are less likely to experience allergic reactions, but at the same time, their immunity fades faster after a routine injection.
Imported one-component drugs for polio - “Poliorix”, “Imovax Polio”. DPT substitutes - Pentaxim, Infanrix Hexa, Tetraxim - are multi-component, one vaccine can be vaccinated against polio, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.
Another significant difference between domestic and imported drugs is price. Russian vaccines are provided free of charge under the law “On Immunoprophylaxis of Infectious Diseases.” And, for example, a dose of the drug Pentaxim costs 2,300 rubles, which not everyone can afford.
The use of a foreign-made drug does not guarantee the absence of allergic reactions.
Is vaccination necessary?
Medical specialists and simply mothers of babies continue to debate whether there is a real need for vaccinations? Preschool and school institutions now accept children without a vaccination certificate, but still, pediatricians are trying to persuade parents to undergo immunization.
Whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and polio are deadly diseases for which children of the first year of life are a potential risk group. The final decision is up to the parents, but if there are no absolute contraindications, then immunization is recommended.
Vaccination does not provide a complete guarantee of immunity, but a child 4 months after vaccination will tolerate the disease much more easily without running a fatal risk. If a severe reaction occurs, you should pay attention to foreign medications.
The health of a child is priceless; it is in the first year of life that it is especially weak and is subject to numerous attacks. The task of parents is to take care of timely and comprehensive medical care, including vaccinations. The health laid down now will become the support of a little person for the rest of his life.
