Why is measles vaccination necessary?
Measles is a dangerous virus that spreads through the air. This disease is fraught with serious consequences and annually claims hundreds of thousands of lives (world statistics). Measles is most difficult in children aged 0 to 5 years.
Particularly severe consequences from infection are observed in people who have not been vaccinated against measles:
- bronchitis and pneumonia (viral or bacterial etiology);
- keratitis (inflammation of the eyes) with the risk of vision loss (every 5th patient);
- meningitis and encephalitis;
- otitis and eustachitis, leading to deafness;
- pyelonephritis.
The onset of measles is similar to a common acute respiratory infection. The patient becomes contagious even before the onset of symptoms and within 4 days from the moment of the rash. A healthy person may not be aware of contact with a virus carrier. The only way to protect yourself is vaccination.
Problems of legal regulation of vaccination of workers against Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic has raised an objective question about the legal regulation of vaccination of workers against coronavirus infection, taking into account the social significance of the disease and the need to ensure the continuity of labor processes in organizations, including taking into account the analogy of the regulation of vaccination for other infectious diseases. “AG” has already addressed this topic, but since December 16, 2021, changes have occurred in the regulation of this issue.
Are there any restrictions
Despite the fact that vaccination is mandatory for everyone, there are a number of contraindications for medical reasons.
You cannot vaccinate if you have the following restrictions:
- allergies to aminoglycosides or any other component of the vaccine, for example, egg white (some imported drugs);
- diagnosed oncology;
- poorly tolerated previous vaccination;
- acute respiratory infections;
- taking immunosuppressive medications;
- immunodeficiency (primary or secondary);
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- serious illnesses.
In these cases, vaccination is not possible due to the fact that the potential harm from it outweighs the benefits. If there are contraindications, then the person takes a medical exemption from vaccination. If the patient is sick (for example, with a cold), then you need to postpone the date of vaccination and wait until he recovers.
How is the vaccination done?
Single vaccines (measles only) or complex vaccines (Priorix, MMP II for measles, mumps and rubella) are used. The latter are especially convenient for childhood immunization, so as not to have to do multiple injections. The algorithm for measles vaccination of children includes 2 stages: 1-1.5 years and 6 years.
Injections are made in the place with the greatest muscle volume for deep injection. For young children, the vaccine is given in the thigh; sometimes the gluteal muscle is recommended for injection in children.
For adult children and others, the vaccine is given in the shoulder. The gluteal muscle is not suitable due to the large subcutaneous layer of fat in this place.
After vaccination, it is not recommended to eat allergenic foods and wash the injection site.
Employers will immunize employees against measles
The Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation issued Resolution No. 19 dated November 7, 2019, which obligated employers to organize a measles vaccination campaign for those employees who have not yet received it by December 31, 2020.
The new rules apply to workers - foreign citizens who have not had measles, have not received the vaccine or do not have a document confirming its receipt. The resolution does not explain how companies should act, but in this case the general rules apply.
As for workers with Russian citizenship, employers are not obliged to monitor their health. This is done by medical institutions that store data on vaccinations received.
Effect of the vaccine
For immunological prevention of measles, a vaccine with a live attenuated pathogen is used. When it enters the body, it provokes the production of specific antibodies against measles. Immunity lasts long after vaccination, but may weaken over time.
Immunization has contributed to reducing disease deaths by more than 70%. To obtain stable immunity, a specific vaccination regimen is required, including 2 vaccinations. After the first injection of the vaccine, 85-95% of people develop specific protection. But it only lasts 6-7 years, so re-vaccination is needed. After revaccination, immunity to measles is developed in almost 100% of people, and the validity period is extended even up to 35 years.
Vaccination calendar
Previously, only children were included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. In 2014, the Ministry of Health issued a decree on mandatory vaccination of adults. In 2021, amendments were made to the text of the resolution: now everyone is subject to compulsory immunization - from one year to 55 years. To enroll in a kindergarten, school, university or work, you need to get a vaccination certificate from the clinic at your place of residence.
Table. Vaccination calendar.
| Age | Who needs mandatory vaccination |
| 1-18 years | 2 vaccinations are given - at 1 year and 6 years. If the schedule has been violated, then repeated revaccination may be necessary. |
| from 19 to 35 years old | Persons who have received 1 or 0 vaccinations, have not had measles, and do not have certificates of vaccination against measles. |
| from 36 to 55 years old (inclusive) | People at risk: education, trade, transport, public utilities and social workers, medical personnel, border checkpoint employees working on a rotational basis. |
Routine vaccination can be done at a public clinic (free) or at a private clinic. The price of a measles vaccination in Moscow is from 600 rubles (monovaccine).
Unscheduled (emergency) immunization is used during measles outbreaks. The vaccine should be administered no later than 3-6 days from the moment of contact with the patient. There is no need for vaccination if a person has been vaccinated, but provided that no more than 5 years have passed from the date of vaccination.
What are the consequences of refusing the measles vaccination?
In Russia, according to Rospotrebnadzor, 97% of children 6 years old are vaccinated against measles, so the source of the increase in diseases is imported infection from countries where vaccination coverage is lower.
Measles is an acute infectious viral disease, highly contagious (up to 90-100%), which is characterized by: acute onset with high fever, malaise, headache, runny nose, cough, symptoms of conjunctivitis (lacrimation, photophobia, redness of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids) , i.e. initially it looks like an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). 3-4 days after the temperature rises, rashes in the form of white dots – Filatov-Koplik spots – can be seen on the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the cheeks in the area of the molars.
On the 4th-5th day of illness, a maculopapular rash gradually appears, which can merge. On the first day it appears on the face, neck, behind the ears; second day - on the body; on the third day - on the extensor surfaces of the arms, legs, including fingers. The rash goes away in the same stages. After the rash, pigmentation remains on the skin, which gradually goes away.
The measles virus is transmitted by airborne droplets when talking, coughing, or sneezing. It can remain on surfaces for up to two hours. The virus spreads easily and quickly through the air and, entering ventilation, infects a large number of people. As a rule, unvaccinated children and adults get sick. Adults experience the disease more severely. A person with measles is contagious to others from the 4th day of the incubation period until the 4th day of the rash.
Measles is dangerous due to complications from the central nervous system, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract. There is no specific drug against measles. Depending on the severity of the disease, symptomatic treatment is prescribed: bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, lowering body temperature, antihistamines. It is necessary to maintain eye and mouth hygiene (washing the eyes, gargling), and antiviral therapy is also indicated. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed when there is a threat of secondary infection and complications.
It is impossible to get measles a second time. A person who has had measles develops a strong immunity to this disease.
Immunity is transferred to a newborn child from a mother who was ill or vaccinated before pregnancy and lasts for approximately 6-9 months.
The only effective way to protect against measles is vaccination. Routine vaccination is carried out at 12 months, revaccination at six years. After the first vaccination, immunity may not be fully formed and will disappear over time. After revaccination, long-term immunity is formed. The measles vaccine is compatible with others, so children are usually immediately vaccinated against rubella and mumps. If there has been contact with a sick person, then vaccination is carried out urgently to all contact unvaccinated people within 2 - 3 days after contact (children over 6 months old) with a sick person.
For young children under one year old (aged 3–6 months), emergency prevention involves the administration of human immunoglobulin. It contains protective antibodies from the serum of donors from people who have had measles. After 2-3 months, you can do active immunization - measles vaccination.
For preventive purposes, single vaccines and combination vaccines can be used (they also protect against rubella and mumps). Vaccines used:
1. "Ruvax". Made in France.
2. LCV (monovaccine).
3. Mumps-measles vaccine (Russia).
4. Priorix (UK).
5. MMR (combined measles, rubella, mumps). Made in USA.
Immunoprophylaxis is carried out using a weak live vaccine. A weakened virus is not dangerous to health, it cannot cause disease, but, having detected it, the immune system begins to defend itself - to produce antibodies. For a short time, for example, a fever may rise or a rash may appear - this is evidence that the immune system has recognized the virus and is producing memory cells against it in order to learn to resist a real, unattenuated infection.
After vaccination against measles, short-term reactions may occur:
- general (redness of the pharynx, mild cough, flushing, runny nose, conjunctivitis);
- local (redness in the area of vaccine administration, swelling). These manifestations disappear after a few days.
In some cases, the temperature may rise (after 6 days), a measles-like rash, and malaise may occur. Such symptoms may occur with the introduction of a monovaccine, which produces immunity only against measles. If combined vaccinations are carried out (rubella, mumps), additional symptoms may appear (inflammation of the salivary glands, joint pain). The main thing to remember is that a reaction to a vaccine is normal.
If a child has not been vaccinated, he is not recommended to travel to areas where an epidemic has been declared. A child over one year old is vaccinated according to the vaccination calendar against the background of full health. If you are planning a trip to an unfavorable area, then the vaccination must be done 14 days before departure.
Our center provides preventive vaccinations against measles with the following vaccines:
1. LCV (monovaccine).
2. Mumps-measles vaccine (Russia).
3. MMR (combined measles, rubella, mumps).
Anti-vaxxers believe that vaccinations cause autism in children and that vaccines contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury. This opinion has no basis and is dangerous, since in 2021, measles led to death in 10 thousand cases. Measles vaccination has been available since the 1960s and has been effective in combating measles since that time.
Now the number of refusals to vaccinate children is growing. The adult population is negligent about vaccinations. Because of this, the number of cases is increasing, and the situation in some regions is becoming critical. To avoid this, before the age of 35 you need to check your blood for antibodies to measles; if they are not there, it means your immunity has weakened and you need to do a second revaccination.
Online consultation with a pediatrician (consultation on vaccinations)
consultation cost: 500 rubles
Online consultation
During the consultation, you will be able to voice your problem, the doctor will clarify the situation, interpret the tests, answer your questions and give the necessary recommendations.
