The coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the world. At the same time, with the onset of the autumn period, Rospotrebnadzor recommends getting vaccinated not only against a new infection, but also against the flu. Is it possible to combine these vaccinations and what contraindications exist? Immunologist Nikolai Kryuchkov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, answered these and other questions in an interview with Moscow 24.
Photo: Moscow 24/Anton Velikzhanin
Is it possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus and flu at once?
You can even get vaccinated on the same day. It is possible with a break of 30 days or more. Either this or that.
It is better if after the second injection against coronavirus you take a break of 30 days. Or if you start with a flu shot, then after it take a break of 30 days before the first injection of the anti-Covid vaccine. Nikolay Kryuchkov
Immunologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences
It is preferable to do it with a break, because if adverse events occur, it will be possible to understand which vaccine such a reaction occurred to. If you get vaccinated against flu and coronavirus on the same day, it will be difficult to find out.
Compatibility of vaccines with each other
Most vaccines have antigenic, clinical and immunological compatibility: their immediate correct use does not suppress the specific immune response and does not increase the likelihood and severity of side effects. When implementing the current vaccination calendar, two types of immunobiological preparations are used.
Live vaccines:
- MMR (measles-mumps-rubella);
- OPV (polio vaccine drops);
- against rotavirus infection;
- from chicken pox;
- anti-influenza (in drops).
Inactivated (killed) vaccines:
- DTP (pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus);
- IPV (injection polio vaccine);
- against pneumococcal infection;
- from hepatitis (A and B);
- anti-influenza (by injection);
- from meningococcal infection;
- against hemophilus influenzae infection.
The simultaneous administration of vaccines is practiced in accordance with the recommendations of epidemiologists and immunologists, established by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
- two or more inactivated biological products are administered simultaneously - on the same day in different syringes to different anatomical areas or on any other day;
- vaccination with two or more inactivated vaccines and one live biological product can also be carried out on the same day, distributing them into different syringes and different anatomical zones or at any other interval;
- two or more live vaccines can be used either simultaneously - on the same day, but in different syringes and in different anatomical areas, or with a time interval of at least 4-5 weeks.
The exception is the live BCG vaccine: it is compatible only with a biological product against hepatitis B; it must be performed separately from all other vaccinations and at an interval of at least a month.
Can I give the flu vaccine along with measles?
Both live and inactivated influenza vaccines are given on the same day with any vaccinations from the National Calendar, except BCG. If it is not possible to vaccinate against influenza and measles at the same time, a break of 4-5 weeks is taken between the MMR and any (live or killed) influenza vaccine.
Are DTP and measles vaccination compatible?
The vaccination calendar provides for complex immunization with DPT with vaccines against polio, hepatitis B, pneumococcal and hemophilus influenzae infections.
If it is necessary to restore the calendar schedule (more often when traveling abroad), the World Health Organization recommends the simultaneous administration of all immunobiological drugs indicated for a child or adult according to their age.
Clinical practice has shown that local reactions to PDA are observed somewhat more often if DTP was simultaneously introduced into another anatomical zone. However, titers of immunoglobulins that form reliable protection against infections were similar to those in children vaccinated with monovaccines.
If there were pronounced vaccine reactions in response to the previous administration of DTP, then an interval of at least 45-60 days is maintained between it and the CCP.
Is it possible to get vaccinations against hepatitis, polio and DTP together?
Immunobiological preparations for the formation of immunity to hepatitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and tetanus are recommended by specialists for simultaneous administration. Antigens of the causative agents of these diseases are included in the combined six-component vaccines Infanrix Hexa and Hexaxim and are administered comprehensively in one syringe.
Who should get the flu vaccine first?
The flu vaccination campaign begins in September and will continue in October and November. Therefore, in September it makes sense to vaccinate risk groups. These are the elderly, people suffering from severe chronic diseases, pregnant women, children, as well as people with several types of immunodeficiencies. The rest is at your discretion.
Photo: Moscow 24/Anton Velikzhanin
I got vaccinated against Covid, I share my impressions: I wouldn’t wish it on my enemy, people stay away from the vaccine!
Good day to all. Some of my subscribers remember that in August I already created a similar article and quickly deleted it. The fact is that my husband was misinformed at work and was eventually vaccinated against the flu, although lists were collected as for Covid.
Doctors were vaccinated so early because the difference between vaccinations should be 3-4 weeks.
Then they started collecting lists for Covid. It should be noted right away that vaccination is voluntary for doctors, no matter what anyone says. My husband was allowed to include me as a family member. True, this surprised everyone at the clinic later.
What are the contraindications for flu vaccination?
Here, in fact, the contraindications are the same as for anti-Covid vaccines. That is, for the vast majority of people, the flu vaccine is not contraindicated.
If anti-Covid vaccination is not contraindicated, then you are not automatically contraindicated from influenza vaccination. Nikolay Kryuchkov
Immunologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences
There is one exception - if you have had a previous history of serious post-vaccination reactions, including severe allergic reactions in response to the administration of an influenza vaccine.
Photo: Moscow 24/Anton Velikzhanin
Is it possible to have two vaccinations at the same time?
In some cases, both foreign and domestic pediatricians and immunologists recommend two vaccinations on the same day.
The simultaneous use of vaccines, following WHO recommendations, is practiced in two ways:
- combined injection of antigens - pathogens of several dangerous infections - are combined in a syringe and administered with one injection. For this purpose, complex vaccines have been developed: DTP, ADS, Infanrix, KPK, Pentaxim and other multicomponent biological products. Sometimes it is allowed to mix different vaccines in one syringe, for example Tetracok and ACT-HIB, which should be indicated in the instructions for use of these vaccines;
- combined administration of mono- or polyvaccines - carried out on the same day, but in different syringes and in different anatomical areas.
The method of distributing injections across different bodily zones eliminates the phenomenon of antigenic competition that occurs when various infectious agents enter the same lymph node and negatively affects the formation of specific immunity.
The possibility of complex vaccination is due to the ability of the immune system to function in multitasking mode: it begins to synchronously produce specific antibodies in response to each agent introduced into the body, the number of which is not significant. When several vaccinations are administered correctly on one day, the immune system does not become overloaded.
When two or more vaccinations are carried out simultaneously, their compatibility, contraindications and features of the use of each of them are taken into account.
Preparing to vaccinate children
Although vaccinating children is a voluntary choice for parents, it is important to carefully consider the decision. There is no punishment for parents for refusing vaccination in our country, but vaccinations are designed to protect children from serious pathologies. If you do not vaccinate and your child gets one of the “vaccine” infections, the parents will be responsible for the consequences. If the decision to schedule vaccinations is made, parents sign an advisory document - voluntary and informed consent. If they are against vaccinations, they sign a corresponding document with a refusal. Preparation for vaccination of children in Russia 2021 is no less important.
Vaccination can only be carried out in medical institutions that are licensed to provide such services - these can be private and municipal medical institutions.
Before vaccination, the child is examined by a doctor; he must be absolutely healthy. One or several vaccinations can be performed on one day (usually they are given with combined vaccines). In addition, it is important to prepare the child at home and within the walls of a medical institution, especially if we are talking about very young children.
At the time of vaccination, the child must be completely healthy; this significantly reduces the risk of side effects and reactions to the administration of drugs. If we are talking about young children, before the planned vaccination they are not given new foods, contact with people is limited as much as possible in order to avoid the risk of contracting ARVI. The baby should not have fever, malaise, or bowel problems at least 3 to 4 days before vaccination.
After ARVI or any other illness, at least 2 - 4 weeks should pass (depending on the severity of the condition). Before vaccination, the child will be carefully examined by a doctor and asked questions about how he has been feeling in recent days.
Also, blood and urine tests may be indicated for babies before vaccination, especially when vaccination coincides with scheduled medical examinations (3, 6 and 12 months). If a child has certain pathologies - neurological, cardiac, chronic diseases, permission to undergo vaccination is given by a highly specialized doctor. If there are certain deviations in the condition, a temporary medical withdrawal may be given.
Indications
All vaccinations have their own reasons for prescribing vaccination. In general, indications for vaccination of children in Russia 2021 can be divided into 2 groups:
1. Routine vaccination within the framework of the National Calendar by age.
2. Vaccination according to epidemic indications. This includes vaccinations carried out:
- during outbreaks of certain infectious diseases (for example, measles, brucellosis, meningitis);
emergency prevention of diseases if the child is exposed to a specific infection;
vaccination for travel to areas where the risk of certain diseases is high.
For vaccinations that are not included in the vaccination schedule, the indications are similar.
