Prevention of pneumococcal infection
Pneumococcal infection is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most serious public health problems. According to statistics, pneumococcus (S. Pneumoniae) is caused by up to 70% of all pneumonias, about 25% of otitis media, 5-15% of purulent meningitis, about 3% of endocarditis. Pneumococcal infection is often a complication of other infections, such as influenza or any other respiratory viral infection.
The main route of transmission of pneumococcal infection is airborne.
Diseases caused by pneumococcus, without proper treatment, quickly become complicated and can lead to disability and even death. Complications after pneumococcal meningitis in the form of mental retardation, impaired motor activity, epilepsy and deafness are significantly more common than in the outcome of bacterial meningitis of other etiologies.
Vaccination is the only highly effective way to significantly affect the morbidity and mortality from pneumococcal infections. To combat pneumococcal infection, vaccination has been used for more than 30 years. Modern vaccines are quite easily tolerated even by children with poor health. The effectiveness of immunization against pneumococcal infection in children and adults is more than 90%.
In the Russian Federation, immunization against pneumococcal infection is carried out within the framework of the National Calendar of Preventive vaccinations for children from the first months of life: the first vaccination at the age of 2 months, the second vaccination - at the age of 4.5 months, revaccination - at the age of 15 months.
Vaccination for epidemic indications is indicated for children aged 2-5 years and adults from risk groups for the development of severe pneumococcal infection (chronic lung and cardiovascular diseases, endocrine diseases, immunodeficiency conditions, and others) and is carried out within the framework of the Regional Calendar of Preventive vaccinations.
Everyone at any age (in the absence of medical contraindications) can get immunized against meningococcal infection.
Do not refuse to vaccinate yourself or your child, do not postpone until tomorrow what can save you today!
