Insidious disease meningitis: whether or not to be vaccinated against it. Should I be vaccinated against meningococcal disease? Vaccination against meningococcal disease for how much

Meningitis is very dangerous for a child, so you need to closely monitor the condition of your baby. The first signs of a disease that is severe can be:

IMPORTANT! At the first symptoms of meningitis in a child, you need to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible, since the first signs of the course of the disease are easier to cure than complicated meningitis.

If you do not respond in time, then the child may simply die!

Are children vaccinated against meningitis?

Vaccination against meningitis is not included in the standard list of vaccinations in the Russian Federation. In total, on the planet, doctors note about 90 types of varieties of this disease, but only 15 of them can give a fatal outcome, which just affects up to 80% of children.

It is transmitted through the air therefore no one can be immune from meningitis without vaccination. The vast majority of experts believe that vaccination of a child against this serious disease, of course, should be carried out. This will protect him from a serious illness. The vaccine is especially needed if the child will go to kindergarten or visit large clusters of children of his age.

Do not save on the health of your child!

Much to our dismay, the Ministry of Health of our country does not agree with this issue, since the vaccination against meningitis has not yet been introduced mandatory. But this could change drastically in the near future.

At what age should children be vaccinated?

Depending on where you live, vaccination period can vary greatly. In Russia, children are vaccinated against this terrible disease only at the age of two, but in neighboring Ukraine, children are already vaccinated at the age of:

But at the age of 18 months they carry out revaccination. If the child is as active and friendly as possible, and not a homebody, then it is best to vaccinate him at the age of 1.5 years. This will strengthen his immunity to a serious illness just at the moment when he begins to actively run and play.

Now you know at what age a child is vaccinated against meningitis.

Is a meningitis vaccine given to a child under one year of age?

It is rather difficult to answer this question, because in fact there it all depends not on the personal preferences of the doctor, but only on the type of vaccine used.

Some foreign drugs that have passed clinical trials allow vaccination of children who have not reached the age of one year, but most doctors do not recommend using the vaccine at this age, as it would be meaningless. The thing is that the mother's milk, which is fed to the child, contains all the necessary trace elements that allow you to protect and maintain the child's immunity at the proper level.

Starting from the age of 1.5 years, the effect of this natural phenomenon disappears, so the child is left alone with viral diseases, just at this moment it is necessary to maintain his health with the help of a vaccine.

Where is it held?

Unfortunately, children are not vaccinated against meningitis in ordinary clinics or hospitals. For this, there are special private clinics that specialize in this particular field of activity.

IMPORTANT! No need to choose a cheaper vaccine. The main thing is the health of the child, so it is best to agree to the option that the attending physician will offer.

Similar private clinics can be found in almost every major city. You can learn more about them at the city hospital, where doctors will send parents to the address.

How long does the action last?

Again, here it all depends on the vaccine itself. But, despite this fact, many experts recommend revaccination every three years.

The thing is that some drugs do not use the virus itself in small proportions, which is absorbed in the body, as a basis, but the immune system finds an element of struggle for this disease. Many drugs, on the contrary, are based on antibodies that eventually leave the body.

Possible side effects

Often, the vast majority of children tolerate the meningitis vaccine stably and without any visible consequences. Small complications may occur, but they cannot be compared with the severity of the disease itself.

Common complications include:

1. Elevated temperature.
2. Slight redness at the injection sites.
3. Drowsiness.

This is a small price to pay for the fact that the child will be healthy.

Names and prices of vaccines

Among the wide variety of meningitis vaccinations for children, in our country you can find only a few basic drugs that are used by private companies. The names of the vaccines are as follows:

• Vaccine "meningococcal" produced by Russian experts. The composition includes serogroups A and C, which allow you to develop immunity to meningococci. The average price in the market reaches 1400 rubles.
• Vaccination “Meningo A + C” It is made in France, so it is considered to be of higher quality. The main composition of the serogroup A and C allows you to protect against cerebrospinal meningitis. Designed for children over 18 months. The average cost reaches 2200 rubles.
• “Mencevax ACWY” produced by a joint company from Belgium and the UK. Due to its serogroup components, ACWY allows the formation of bactericidal antibodies. Designed for children over two years old. The average cost is about 3100 rubles.
• "Menactra" It is made by a company from the USA and is considered to be the highest quality today. It consists of serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. It allows you to actively produce antibodies to fight the disease. Recommended for use in children over two years of age and adults under 55 years of age. The average cost in the market reaches the mark of 3500 rubles.

In July 2015, a new-generation French anti-meningitis vaccine Menactra appeared in Russia. With its help, it is now possible to protect children from 9 to 23 months from meningococcal infection - the vaccine that was used in Russia before could not be administered to children under two years of age. Why is this vaccine necessary? How is it tolerated? What's wrong with meningitis? Doctors from Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg told about this at a meeting with journalists in the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Novosibirsk.

• About meningococcal disease
  • Meningococcal infection: causative agent
  • How can you get a meningococcal infection?
  • How do meningococcal diseases progress?
• Real medical history
• How likely is it to get a meningococcal infection?

The meeting began with an impressive video story from the father of a girl from St. Petersburg whose daughter fell ill with severe meningitis last year. Fortunately, she was saved.

- If I had known before, This dad says what consequences such an infection can cause, I would take measures to vaccinate.

Almost the same words are spoken by the parents of other children with meningitis: “If only we knew that it was possible to get vaccinated ...” But not everyone still understands how terrible meningitis is.

About meningococcal disease

Meningococcal infection: causative agent

The causative agent of meningococcal infection is the bacterium neisseria meningitides. Meningococci are extremely demanding on the composition of nutrient media; they multiply only in the presence of human or animal protein. The causative agent of meningococcal infection is characterized by low resistance in the external environment: at a temperature of +50 ° C it dies after 5 minutes, at +100 ° C - in 30 seconds. Meningococcus is also not resistant to low temperatures: at -10 ° C it dies after 2 hours. Direct sunlight kills meningococci in 2-8 hours, under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the pathogen dies almost instantly. Meningococci are very sensitive to all disinfectants.

How can you get a meningococcal infection?

Meningococcal disease is transmitted only from person to person, transmission method - airborne.The main danger is presented by patients with a mild form -nasopharyngitis, similar to the usual SARS.you can also get infected from a healthy person - a carrier of the pathogen. In the presence of chronic inflammatoryprocesses in the nasopharynx carriage can last 5-6 months;during the peak years of the disease, 20% of the adult population become carriers of the infection.

How do meningococcal diseases progress?

There are two forms of the disease: localized and generalized.

Localized

Carrying. Doesn't show any symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made when examining persons who have been in close contact with a patient with a generalized form, based on a bacteriological examination of the nasopharynx. The duration of carriage without treatment is up to 6 weeks.

Nasopharyngitis. The symptoms of this disease are very similar to SARS: fever, nasal congestion, moderate headache (it is usually localized in the forehead and crown), pain, pain, discomfort in the throat, aggravated by swallowing; in severe cases, weakness, vomiting, dizziness. If the last symptoms are pronounced, if, in addition, even single and small hemorrhages appear on the skin or conjunctiva of the eye, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Generalized

Meningococcemia (bacteria circulation in the patient's blood). Symptoms appear suddenly (or after a previous nasopharyngitis): high fever, headache, muscle pain, headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea. A rash appears from the first hours of the illness. It may initially be reddish-pink, then becomes darker and even purple; foci of skin necrosis may appear. The rash has an irregular stellate shape and does not turn pale when pressed with a transparent glass. When foci of hemorrhages appear, symptoms of damage to the joints, heart, and lungs are observed. Due to a violation of blood coagulation, gastrointestinal and internal bleeding can be observed. With the defeat of the adrenal glands, there is a decrease in blood pressure, weakness, lack of urine..

Meningitis (meningoencephalitis). The onset is sudden, when a severe headache appears against the background or simultaneously with an increase in temperature to high numbers. Vomiting, photophobia, increased skin sensitivity appear, when any slight touch causes severe discomfort. Consciousness is initially preserved, but then it is disturbed: stupor develops, and then coma, convulsions. With meningoencephalitis, paralysis or paresis, facial asymmetry, omission of the eyelid (one or two), hearing loss are noted.

” Out of 100 contacts with a carrier, everyone becomes infected, but 90 people become carriers, 8-9 get nasopharyngitis, 1 develops meningitis and 1 has meningococcemia; children are the most susceptible.

Why vaccination is needed

The main reason why doctors recommend vaccination against meningococcal infection is the difficulty of recognizing it in the early stages. Meningitis in the first 8 hours is often disguised as a common cold. But at this time, and there is a rapid multiplication in the blood of bacteria. These are bacteria, not viruses, which makes it possible to treat the disease with antibiotics. But, if timely adequate assistance is not provided, then in a day everything can end in death.

According to the experts who spoke at the press conference, there are survival statistics for meningitis in European countries. A critical indicator is the use of medications within the first 75 minutes from the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

The second reason is the particular sensitivity of young children to meningococcal infections. It is they who most often develop the most dangerous, generalized form of the disease. Meningitis often takes strong, healthy children from socially prosperous families. The kid can live quietly up to three years without getting sick, and meningococcal infection will be the first in his life. And... the last one.

But this infection does not always end the life of children. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases of the Novosibirsk State Medical University Irina Izvekova urges parents to just look at the pictures of meningococcal infection.

- They will impress you so much that no one would want such a fate for their own child,- she said. - Do not think that trouble will always bypass you. God forbid that this does not happen, but if this does happen, believe me, then everyone starts biting their elbows. Especially when they know that there was an opportunity to prevent it. You just need to trust the doctors. There are far more good doctors in Russia than bad ones. And if they offer to be vaccinated, then there are probably reasons for this.

The photo shows complications caused by meningococcal infection. You can click on the photo to enlarge, but we warn you that this is an unpleasant sight.

Necrosis

Keloid scars

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (development of meningitis, encephalitis and adrenal insufficiency)

Real medical history

New Zealand baby Charlotte Lucy Cleverley-Bisman, who had a meningococcal infection at the age of one, became the face of a national meningitis vaccination campaign. Here is her medical history:

How likely is it to get a meningococcal infection?

In most developed countries, the prevalence of meningococcal infection is 1-3 cases per 100 thousand of the population, occurs at any age, but 70-80% occurs in children under three years of age. The most susceptible to the development of hypertoxic (superacute) forms of infections are children of the first three years, especially the first year of life.

” Now there is only one child in the hospital in Novosibirsk, who is ill with meningitis.

According to Irina Izvekova, a favorable epidemiological situation is no reason to relax. Meningococcal infection has its prosperous and unsuccessful periods: outbreaks of infection occur every 15-25 years. The last powerful outbreak of meningitis was in the USSR in the late 70s - early 80s in Moscow. By the way, at that time doctors brilliantly recognized meningococcal infection, and Novosibirsk doctors were the best in the country in this area: there were practically no diagnostic errors made by our doctors. However, enough time has passed since then to wait for a new rise in the incidence.

How safe is the new vaccine?

The new innovative vaccine, according to the doctors who spoke at the press conference, is safe and effective.

Contraindications are practically excluded, - notes Elena Grebenkina, doctor of the highest category, specialist of the center for vaccination. - But before vaccination, it is necessary to make sure that within 2 weeks the child was healthy and does not have chronic diseases. We have been working with this vaccine since July 2015. They did it to children both separately and together with other vaccines of the Russian calendar. Within 7 days, one or two mild reactions were observed, which were expressed in malaise, soreness at the injection site. Then the child felt good.

The vaccine has been clinically tested. Elena Shtykunova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Marketing Director of the representative office of Sanofi Pasteur in Russia, tells about this:

The experience of clinical use of the vaccine is more than 10 years. Since entering the world market in 2005, 75 million doses of the vaccine have already been used worldwide. This was preceded by studies that were conducted even more than 10 years. As for clinical trials, I am proud to say that the vaccine, before being registered in the Russian Federation, was also tested in Russia, confirming its effectiveness. One of the test centers was in Novosibirsk.

The new vaccine is designed to fight meningococcal disease, and it opens a new era in the prevention of this disease. Vaccinating young children will change the lives of many in our country. Now meningococcal infection is becoming manageable!

If the child is vaccinated between 9 and 23 months, a revaccination will be required. If the vaccine is given for the first time after two years, then a single vaccination is sufficient.

Where to vaccinate

Vaccination not yet included in RRussian vaccination calendar, but you can do it for a fee by going to the nearest commercial center for vaccination. The vaccine is already available. Sanofi Pasteur employees carefully monitor prices in the Russian Federation. Its cost in Novosibirsk in one of the centers is 4.5 thousand rubles (the sum of the cost of the service, a doctor's examination and the vaccination itself).

There are several mandatory indications for immunization, for example, this is an upcoming trip to the regions of the "meningococcal belt" - African countries, where the incidence reaches 500 and even 1000 citizens per 100,000 population.

Another indication for vaccination is the removal of the spleen (for example, after an injury).

” Discuss meningococcal vaccination with your child's healthcare provider. Always follow the advice of medical professionals.

Meningococcal disease is a disease in which multiplying bacteria can lead to serious illness. In particular, meningitis, sepsis, nasopharyngitis, pneumonia, sinusitis or meningococcemia.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a meningococcal infection that can be of two forms: primary and secondary. In the first case, they enter the body by airborne droplets. Through the throat, and then by overcoming the blood-brain barrier - into the shell of the brain. This form of the disease can be purulent or serous.

In serous meningitis, lymphocytes accumulate in the cerebrospinal fluid. It is caused by bacteria or viruses that cause tuberculosis. In purulent meningitis, neutrophils accumulate in the cerebrospinal fluid. This happens due to bacteria. Mostly meningococci A and C. Almost 40% of cases begin due to B. And only 2% are due to pneumonia.

Secondary meningitis affects the airways, oropharynx, ears, or salivary glands. Symptoms of diseases such as pneumonia or intestinal infection may occur. Then the bacteria penetrate the lymph and blood, causing inflammation of the brain. Secondary meningitis is caused by staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, Candida fungi, viruses, salmonella and other pathogens.

Are there epidemics?

A surge in meningococcal infection was observed in Russia in 1968. Cases of the disease were quite frequent. Therefore, vaccination against meningococcal infection became relevant. It was a real epidemic. But thanks to vaccinations, it gradually faded away. And now this disease is not so common. For example, in 2000, there were 8 infected per 100,000 Russians.

Children are more susceptible to this disease. And the reason lies in insufficient vaccination. But nasopharyngitis can be of different etiologies, and it is sometimes quite difficult to distinguish it from another disease. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether meningitis vaccinations are needed is yes. The disease is better to prevent initially than to treat it for a long time.

What causes meningococcal infection?

The causative agent of meningococcal infection is the bacterium Neisseria meningitides. The disease can take several forms. Most often in the form of the Pathogen (Vekselbaum meningococcus) is a gram-negative diplococcus. It does not have capsules and flagella, is inactive. Does not form a dispute. The optimum temperature for bacterial growth is 37 degrees.

Where is meningococcal infection found?

Meningococcal disease exists in all countries. But the highest incidence is in Central and West Africa. On the territory of Russia, small foci of infection broke out several times. Therefore, vaccination against meningococcal infection is necessary so that the disease does not take the form of an epidemic.

Complications of meningitis

The disease is quite dangerous. If the vaccine against infection is not done on time, then serious complications can occur. Often they lead to death. If meningitis is not treated in time, it can lead to disability. Complications are of several types:

What are the vaccines?

In Russia, to prevent the disease, the foreign vaccine against meningococcal infection "Meningo A + C" is most often used. Or domestic A and C. The vaccine, which contains W-135 and Y, is given only to pilgrims leaving for Mecca. Group B meningococci are not widely used. It has low immunogenicity and has a number of antigenic determinants, which can cause side effects and complications.

To prevent inflammation of the brain, a meningococcal vaccine is given. The name may be different, since the vaccine was created far from alone: ​​Akt-Khib, Hiberix, Tetr-Akt-Khib, Pentaxim and a number of others. You can get them mostly for free, in almost any city clinic. True, some are sold only for money and can be very expensive.

For prevention, the Pneumo-23 vaccine is used. It is produced in France. Vaccinations are given free of charge only to children at risk. All the rest wishing - on a paid basis. These vaccinations reduce the risk of not only meningitis, but also a number of other diseases (sepsis, pneumonia, etc.).

When and what vaccinations are given?

The most commonly used vaccines contain polysaccharides. They are administered to children from 2 years of age. Such vaccines can protect a child for 3 years. But most often (more than 50% of cases) meningitis occurs in children under two years of age. They are vaccinated with a weak immune response. The vaccine against meningococcal infection of group A is used only for children older than one year, group C - only up to two years of age. Vaccination is done only once.

Are there meningitis vaccines for babies?

Work is underway on vaccines for infants. Although serotype C vaccinations have already proven themselves well. Thanks to this vaccine, the incidence of meningitis is reduced by 76%. In children under two years of age - by 90%. Currently, work is underway on combination vaccines, which should contain 4 serotypes of meningococcus. You should consult your doctor before getting vaccinated. You should not choose a vaccine for a child on your own, without consulting a specialist.

Are meningococcal vaccines necessary?

Vaccination against meningococcal infection is done not only for the sake of prevention, but also in the event of epidemics. Usually the A+C vaccine is used, which is administered at the risk of an epidemic. The entire population that lives in dangerous proximity to the focus of the infection is vaccinated. But the epidemic threshold in any country is different. If the number of cases exceeds a certain set figure, then vaccination of the population is necessary.

This is especially true for children. The time of vaccinations is assigned according to a special vaccination calendar. According to him, they are made to children older than two years of age, adolescents and adults with a focus of meningococcal infection, which is caused by bacteria of serogroups A and C.

As well as people at increased risk of infection. Primary school students living in boarding schools and orphanages, in family hostels. The same applies to children from dysfunctional families where sanitary and hygienic conditions are violated. Since meningitis can get sick even from unwashed hands or fruits. Therefore, the creation of combined vaccines, especially for infants, is necessary.

Polysaccharide vaccines

As mentioned above, the A + C vaccinations are mainly used for vaccination. There is some hyperemia and soreness at the injection site (usually in 5% of those vaccinated). Somewhat less often, an elevated temperature occurs, which normalizes within 1.5 days. With some vaccines, it does not occur at all. Maximum - redness at the injection site. Vaccines are contraindicated only in people suffering from chronic diseases, or with allergies to the components contained in them.

Do I need a meningococcal vaccine?

Russia introduced compulsory vaccination against meningitis several years ago. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus influenzae. It can cause more than just meningitis. And for example, otitis media, pneumonia and sinusitis. True, we should not forget that meningitis can be caused not only by Haemophilus influenzae, but also by many other microbes.

Vaccination against this disease is carried out in all countries of the world. Inflammation of the brain can be fatal. Vaccinations are given according to standard medical vaccination schedules at the same time as DTP. Modern vaccines contain a component of Hib infection. Haemophilus influenzae, as scientists have found, can be of six types. Type B microbes are the most dangerous for humans. Vaccinations containing a component of this disease are mainly done in order to develop protective immunity.

Meningitis infection (Haemophilus influenzae) is very dangerous for children under 5 years of age. Then it makes no sense to vaccinate, since with age, immunity in people develops automatically. Although it is impossible to completely protect a person from meningitis. You can only significantly reduce the risk of catching it. Pneumococcus is also capable of causing various forms of meningitis. But there are vaccines for this microbe. The most dangerous bacteria that most often cause brain inflammation are called meningococci.

If there is contact with a sick person

Vaccinations are essential to prevent meningitis. Immunoglobulin is administered to children under 7 years of age, but no later than a week after contact with the patient. In this case, a child under 2 years of age is prescribed 1.5 ml, and older - 3 ml of the vaccine. If a person is a carrier of the disease, then chemoprophylaxis is carried out for four days. If this is an adult, he is prescribed rifampicin twice a day, 0.3 grams.

Vaccinations against meningitis are done in advance, without waiting for a person to get sick. Amoxicillin is used instead of ampicillin. It has a great effect on pathogenic bacteria. In many countries, vaccines are prescribed for everyone who has had contact with sick people. Vaccination is carried out within two days. Up to a year - from 5 to 10 mg / kg per day, from a year to 12 years - 10 mg / kg per day, or one vaccination of "Ceftriaxone" at 200 mg is done. These vaccinations have an excellent effect not only as well as on those who have been in contact with patients with meningococcal infection. Secondary meningitis may occur within a month. To avoid this, in the first 5 days after contact with a sick person, it is necessary to be vaccinated to prevent infection.

Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) is a dangerous disease that can cause dangerous complications and even death. Children's immunity cannot resist this disease, so children are more likely to get meningitis.

Many parents are interested in how to protect their child from this terrible disease, how to strengthen their immunity? Fortunately, some forms of meningitis can be prevented by vaccination. The meningitis vaccine for children is a reliable ally of the immune system. Let's find out why this disease is dangerous and how not to miss its symptoms, what you need to know about meningitis vaccinations and what they are.

What kind of disease is meningitis

Meningococcal disease has always been considered an emergency. Children aged 2.5 months to three years are more often affected. The disease, having the nature of epidemics, can threaten almost every child. It is easy to get infected with it even from a healthy person who is a carrier, and in a children's team the probability of infection increases several times.

If infection has occurred, then the future fate of the baby, his full life will depend on successful and timely treatment, since meningitis in children causes sad consequences. It can provide at least a lifetime headache or behavioral and mental health problems. In childhood and adolescence, such a child will need various types of strengthening therapy, and this costs nerves and a lot of money, it certainly will not add joy. Vaccination of children against meningitis is not an obsessive medical recommendation, but an early solution to family problems.

How infection occurs

Meningococcal infection is a collective term. The disease can cause any pathogen - from viruses, fungi and ending with bacteria. Even a severe head injury causes symptoms of the disease.

It is necessary to be afraid of three dangerous pathogens:

• meningococci - 54% of all cases;
• Haemophilus influenzae type B - occurs in 39% of patients;
• pneumococci - make up 2%.

They cause severe purulent meningitis, which can be primary or secondary. The danger is primary meningitis, which is characterized by the fact that from a local focus (nose, pharynx) it goes directly to the brain, easily overcomes the blood-brain barrier and causes inflammation.

First symptoms

It is useful for parents to know the characteristic symptoms by heart, because complications after meningitis in children are severe. In addition, the disease has a lightning-fast form, which unfolds quickly and then the clock counts.

Important: meningeal symptoms are a combination of signs of an infectious disease (fever, malaise) with vomiting and a rash in the form of "asterisks" that do not disappear when pressed, stretching the skin.

Seeing these "beacons", immediately check for stiff neck muscles. To do this, tilt the baby's head forward, try to touch the chest with the chin. If the child does not allow this to be done and is crying, then an ambulance should be called immediately.

Who needs a meningitis vaccine

If parents have a question about whether to vaccinate children against meningitis, then the pediatrician will explain that, according to the order of the Ministry of Health of Russia No. 51n dated January 31, 2011, vaccination against meningococcus is carried out according to epidemic indications. That is, it is not included in the calendar of mandatory vaccinations. The provision in the law obliges to vaccinate only in the foci of infection, in a word, after the outbreak of meningitis.

The following situations are an exception.

The question at what age is it better to vaccinate children against meningitis has different recommendations. There are experts who believe that immunity before the age of two is still at the formation stage, therefore it will not give a stable answer. In any case, if the baby was vaccinated before the age of two, it is recommended to re-vaccinate after three months. And after three years, vaccinate again.

What are the vaccines

When we start searching the Internet for the name of the meningitis vaccine, we come across a variety of vaccines and more questions than answers arise. This is understandable, because there is no single vaccine that would protect against all possible pathogens of meningitis. Even the meningococcal vaccine cannot protect against all varieties of the pathogen.

If you need reliable protection against all dangerous pathogens of meningitis, then you need to get vaccinated with three vaccines:

• meningococcal;
• hemophilic;
• and pneumococcal.

Vaccines for meningococcal meningitis

For more than 30 years, polysaccharide vaccines have been used against meningococcal meningitis. These meningitis vaccines for children have been time-tested and well tolerated. They are of three types.

1. Bivalent (groups A and C). These include: the vaccine "Meningo A + C" (France), shown from 2 years; the meningococcal vaccine of groups A and A + C (Russia), is done from the age of 18 months, but if there is a focus, then it can be administered from six months.
2. Trivalent (groups A, C and W). Vaccine "Meningo-ACW".
3. Quadrivalent (groups A, C, Y and W135). These are vaccines: "" (Belgium); " " (USA), shown from 9 months old, registered in 54 countries.

Haemophilus influenzae meningitis vaccines

Haemophilus influenzae vaccines include:

• a separate vaccine "";
• combined vaccines against several diseases - polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae - these are "" and "".

The Hiberix vaccine is vaccinated according to the scheme:

• at 3 months;
• 4.5 months;
• 6 months;
• revaccination at 18 months.

The vaccine has been included in the National Immunization Schedule for children at risk. It is done along with the DPT vaccination. Provides immunity for life.

Vaccines for pneumococcal meningitis

1. "" (France). Shown from 2 years, gives protection for 10 years.
2. "" - shown to children from 2 months to 5 years. It is put 4 times, provides lifelong immunity. It is produced free of charge on a planned basis for children from the risk groups for respiratory depression (often long-term ill) with bronchitis, and the rest are paid.

Meningitis vaccination for children - pros and cons

The choice of vaccinating against meningitis for a child always remains with the parents. It is necessary to carefully weigh all the arguments, assess the situation from the standpoint of benefit and risk, and make a decision based on the state of health of the child and the conditions in which he is. Do not follow fashion and catchy advertisements. The information below about the meningitis vaccine for children will help you weigh the pros and cons and make an informed choice.

The existence of myths about the dangers of vaccination, which allegedly contributes to the weakening of children's immunity, leads to the fact that children with impaired health are left without vaccinations, who need such protection like air. Such "experiments" for them can cost their lives. There is a doctor who knows your baby, has experience in vaccination - discuss with him the question of vaccination against meningitis for your child and make a decision.

Vaccination today remains the only reliable way to prevent infection with dangerous diseases. A disease such as meningitis most often affects children under 3 years of age and entails extremely dangerous consequences. However, any intervention in the human immune system is associated with risks and is not completely safe. So should my child be vaccinated against meningitis? What types of vaccines are there? To whom is this vaccine contraindicated? Let's figure it out together.

What is meningitis and why is it dangerous?

Meningitis is epidemic. Most often it affects babies aged 2-2.5 months to 3 years. Infection often occurs in the children's team, but there is a risk of catching the infection even from a healthy human carrier. Infection with meningococcal infection can lead to tragic consequences. How full the life of the baby will be depends on the timely treatment started.

Who needs immunization?

Vaccination against meningitis is not part of the approved immunization schedule. En masse, immunization is carried out only if an outbreak of the disease is registered and only in the foci of the epidemic. It is recommended to get vaccinated against meningococcal infection in the following cases:

• children suffering from immunodeficiency;
• babies aged 1.5-2 years attending preschool institutions;
• if the child lives in a region with a high level of morbidity or plans to visit such a region, even for a short time;
• when a child with suspected meningitis appears in the team, all contact children and children living in the same building with him at the age of 1–8 years are vaccinated, and adolescents are also immunized;
• at the request of the parents (vaccination is carried out at their expense);
• during an epidemic, universal immunization is carried out (an epidemic is a situation when 20 or more cases of infection per 100,000 children are registered).

Types of meningitis vaccines with drug names

There are several varieties of microorganisms that provoke the development of the disease. As a rule, immunization is carried out against the most dangerous pathogens. If parents want to ensure the full protection of the child, then it will be necessary to vaccinate him with pneumococcal, meningococcal and hemophilic vaccines.

Drugs against meningococci

Meningococcal vaccines are effective as a means of emergency prophylaxis in epidemic areas. They rarely cause adverse reactions, are practically harmless, and can be combined with other vaccines (they can be administered in one syringe). Requires a single injection. The maximum amount of antibodies is reached on the 14th day after vaccination. Vaccines are usually used against pathogens of groups A, B and C.

Vaccination with the imported drug Mencevax is allowed from 9 months

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine

For children at risk, vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae was included in the national vaccination calendar, so you can get it at the clinic at the place of residence for free. Immunization is carried out simultaneously with DTP vaccination, providing children with lifelong protection against hemophilic meningitis. Exist:

• A separate drug is a monovaccine from Haemophilus influenzae called Hiberix.
• Complex vaccinations - Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim. They protect the baby from several varieties of dangerous diseases at once. In addition to the hemophilic component, their list also includes whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis.

Pneumococcal meningitis vaccine

Babies who often and for a long time suffer from bronchitis are routinely vaccinated free of charge with the pneumococcal meningitis vaccine Prevenar 13. Vaccination can be carried out from the age of two months until the baby reaches 5 years of age. The vaccine is given 4 times, while it provides lifelong protection against pneumococcal meningitis.

Babies who are not at risk are vaccinated at the request of their parents. In this case, immunization will have to pay.

Also, in some cases, a French drug is used. It is suitable for vaccination of children from 2 years of age, providing reliable protection against pneumococcal meningitis, as well as against pneumonia for 10 years.

Vaccination Schedule

Immunization against meningitis is recommended for children according to a certain scheme. It is best to discuss this with your pediatrician. If a baby younger than 2 years old is vaccinated, then revaccination is carried out 3 months after the first immunization. To consolidate the result and ensure reliable protection, it is advised to give another vaccination 3 years after revaccination.

Vaccination against hemophilic meningitis for children with Hiberix is ​​carried out 4 times. The first time the baby is vaccinated at the age of three months. Revaccination is carried out after 6 weeks. The third vaccination is given at six months of age. The final vaccination is carried out when the baby reaches the age of 1 year 6 months.

How does the vaccine work and how long does it protect?

The group of meningococci includes several subgroups of bacteria that cause the disease. Meningitis vaccines contain certain substances. Depending on their set, immunization can protect a child from one type of bacteria or prevent infection by several at once.

Epidemics are usually provoked by bacteria belonging to subgroup A. However, in our country, meningitis caused by pathogens from subgroup B is most often recorded. Scientists have not yet developed an effective and affordable vaccine against bacteria of this subgroup. However, immunization against other types of meningitis is justified and necessary to protect the health of the baby.

With the introduction of the drug in the body of a child, the production of antibodies is stimulated. The latter actively suppress live bacteria penetrating the blood, preventing their vital activity and reproduction, that is, preventing the development of meningitis. Thus, the child receives natural protection from this dangerous disease.

Immunization is important in a timely manner. Antibodies to pathogens appear in the baby's blood already on the 5th day after vaccination, but their maximum amount, sufficient to prevent infection, is reached only after two weeks. There are also vaccines for emergency immunization in epidemic foci.

The duration of immune protection depends on the type of drug administered and the immunization schedule. Vaccines used in very young children require four doses to provide sustained protection.

Some types of vaccines protect a child for up to 10 years. There are varieties that provide lifelong immunity.

Contraindications for vaccination

An absolute contraindication for immunization against any form of meningitis is the presence of any disease in the baby in an acute form. In such cases, the child is vaccinated only after full recovery. It is allowed to vaccinate children suffering from a mild disease. The main contraindication to vaccination of adults, in addition to acute pathological processes, is the period of pregnancy.

The body's response to the drug and possible complications

Vaccines against any form of meningitis are characterized by low reactogenicity, that is, the vast majority of babies tolerate the vaccine well, without complications. Sometimes painful swelling appears at the injection site, hyperemia or general weakness is noted. These reactions are usually mild and resolve on their own within 24 to 48 hours.

In rare cases, the meningitis vaccine, like any other, can provoke severe allergic reactions. Their symptoms appear quickly - within a few minutes after administration, but sometimes symptoms appear only after a few hours.

If a child has a fever or other complications after vaccination, it is necessary to seek medical help.

A child needs urgent medical attention if they show any of the following signs of a vaccine allergy:

• high body temperature;
• pallor;
• dizziness;
• hives;
• tachycardia;
• severe shortness of breath with wheezing (they can be whistling or deaf);
• difficulty breathing, accompanied by swelling of the larynx and / or oral cavity.

Pros and cons of vaccinating children

Now some parents refuse to vaccinate their children for various reasons, but only those based on medical contraindications are justified. Vaccinations included in the national calendar help to avoid epidemics and keep many babies healthy.

No preventive measures protect against the risk of meningitis like vaccination

There are no absolute negative effects of meningitis vaccination, and immunization of every child is recommended. Arguments for:

1. This is the only reliable way to prevent the development of meningitis in a child. No preventive measures give a similar or at least close result in terms of effectiveness.
2. The qualification of medical personnel, especially in the regions, often leaves much to be desired. Many inexperienced doctors are not able to recognize nasopharyngitis and differentiate it from less dangerous diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
3. If you plan to travel to the "meningitis belts" (these include Canada and the countries of the African continent), vaccination must be carried out - it can save the health and life of the baby.
4. The vaccine is well tolerated, rarely gives complications. At the same time, its efficiency varies between 95-100%.
5. Immunization with Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcal vaccines not only protects the child from infection with the respective types of meningitis, but also significantly reduces the incidence of upper respiratory infections. According to studies, these two vaccinations make it possible to remove the child from the group of those who often suffer from these diseases.
6. If at least one of the parents or close relatives had meningitis in childhood, it is recommended to vaccinate the baby with the meningococcal vaccine.