Frequent questions from parents about vaccination of children against influenza
Influenza is an infectious disease that affects up to 10-15% of the population of each country every year. The flu virus is transmitted from person to person very easily: by talking, coughing, sneezing. Everyone is likely to get sick, and children are in a special risk group.
What is the danger of the flu?
The flu is the infection that gives the greatest number of complications. Once in the body, the flu virus multiplies, destroying the cells of the lungs and other organs at a high rate. Complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, damage to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and kidneys develop. It is these complications that are the direct cause of death after suffering from the flu. Children are also likely to develop otitis media, which leads to deafness. Often, the transferred flu disease leads to disability.
Why is it necessary to get vaccinated?
The flu is a preventable disease. The most effective, convenient and safe means of preventing influenza is vaccination. Influenza viruses are variable. The immunity resulting from vaccination is not lifelong, it persists for one year and is effective only against specific strains of the influenza virus. That's why you need to get vaccinated every year. A vaccinated person can rarely get the flu, but he will be protected from the severe course of the disease and complications.
What is the flu vaccine?
Now there are new-generation vaccines that have virtually no contraindications and give stronger immunity. The vaccine meets international standards and is well tolerated. Modern vaccines are inactivated, do not contain a "live" virus, which implies their safety and the absence of adverse reactions.
When should I get a flu shot?
Vaccination against influenza should be carried out from September to November before the rise in the incidence of the disease, so that a strong immune system that protects against influenza can be formed. Usually, post-vaccination immunity is formed within 10-14 days.
Can the vaccine harm your health?
Vaccination is not dangerous and does not cause complications, in extreme cases, it can manifest itself as a local reaction in the form of redness and compaction at the injection site, which pass after 2-3 days, or a general reaction in the form of a slight increase in temperature. Even if the vaccinated child becomes infected with the flu, the disease will be mild, usually without complications.
Why is it so important to vaccinate children against the flu?
Every year, the largest number of cases of influenza is registered among children. They have the most severe flu and require treatment in a hospital. The duration of the disease in children is much longer than in adults.
Where are children vaccinated?
Vaccination of children is carried out in schools, kindergartens, in children's polyclinics at the place of residence, as well as in the department of immunoprophylaxis of the Lipetsk Regional Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital.
How to prepare for flu vaccination?
Before vaccination, each child is examined by a medical professional. Special preparation for vaccination against influenza is not required, at the time of vaccination, the child should not have signs of an acute disease.
What are the contraindications to flu vaccination?
Contraindications to flu vaccination:
- acute disease or exacerbation of a chronic disease on the day of vaccination;
- allergy to chicken egg protein;
- severe allergic reactions to a previous flu shot.
Pediatrician,
GUZ " Lipetsk Regional Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital»,
Timofeeva Tatyana Viktorovna
