When are measles vaccinations given? Measles vaccination. How many times is it done for adults and children? How long does the measles vaccine last?

Many infections are much more dangerous for adults than for children. One such disease is measles, which kills 165,000 people worldwide every year. Last years The incidence of measles in adults in Russia has become more frequent due to a decrease in immunity against this disease. People born after 1956 have lost their immunity, which was acquired as a result of vaccination at 1 year of age or after an illness. Measles vaccinations were mandatory for children in Russia in 1980. In 2014, Russia introduced routine measles vaccination for all adults. Vaccinations are carried out with a vaccine (live measles culture vaccine).

At what age can adults be vaccinated against measles? Should I get this vaccine or not? - let's look at these questions.

What kind of disease is measles?

It is considered a childhood infection, but adults also become infected with it. The causative agent of the disease is an RNA virus from the Morbillivirus family. Infection occurs from another patient. The virus is transmitted through contact by sneezing, coughing, or runny nose. The incubation period is 1–2 weeks. The disease becomes contagious already in the last 2 days of the incubation period, when there are not even signs of the disease. The disease begins with common symptoms:

runny nose, cough, sore throat;
temperature rise to 39–40 °C;
conjunctivitis, accompanied by photophobia and lacrimation;
swelling of the cheeks and face;
spots localized on the mucous membrane of the cheeks near the molars and on the gums appear on the 3rd day;
rash all over the body.

Filatov-Koplik spots on the oral mucosa are an important sign for diagnosis. Skin rashes differ in the order of appearance and disappearance. It appears on the 3rd day from the day the temperature rises, first on the face, neck, chest, then moves to the torso and limbs. The rashes last for 3 days and begin to fade and disappear in the same order in which they appeared. Specific treatment no from measles.

Why is measles dangerous for adults?

Measles in adults significantly reduces immunity. The disease is much more severe than in children. The following complications often occur:

pneumonia caused by measles virus or bacterial infection;
bronchitis;
otitis;
hepatitis;
eye damage in the form of keratitis leads to loss of vision in 20% of cases;
pyelonephritis;
eustachitis occurs in severe form and may lead to hearing loss or hearing loss;
meningitis;
meningoencephalitis.

Dangerous complications of measles in adults:

Meningoencephalitis is a viral infection nervous system person. The complication occurs in 0.6% of cases. After the temperature drops at the end of the rash, the temperature suddenly rises sharply again, consciousness becomes confused, and convulsions appear. There is no specific treatment. Measles encephalitis is the cause of death in 25% of cases.

The only thing effective remedy protect yourself from dangerous infection- vaccination of children and adults against measles.

When to vaccinate

As part of the national program, routine measles vaccination for adults is regulated by a schedule. There is a specific vaccination schedule throughout the country that determines when and how many times adults should be vaccinated against measles. Free vaccination is provided to people under 35 years of age who have not been sick before and have not been vaccinated or who do not have information about their vaccinations. Those persons who have had contact with measles patients, regardless of age, are vaccinated without payment, if they have not been vaccinated before and have not had this disease. For other persons, paid vaccination is carried out.

Adults receive 2 vaccinations with a 6-month interval between them. If an adult has been vaccinated against measles once, then he is vaccinated from the very beginning, according to a 2-fold schedule.

There is no revaccination against measles in adults. Immunity after a double vaccination lasts for at least 12 years or more.

Where do adults get the measles vaccine? It is done in the upper third of the shoulder subcutaneously or intramuscularly. It is not recommended to vaccinate in the gluteal region due to the abundant subcutaneous fat layer. The vaccine is not given into the skin, where a lump may form. In both cases, vaccination rules are violated. Intravenous administration vaccines are contraindicated.

According to WHO, in 2013 the epidemiological situation with measles worsened in 36 EU countries, where 26,000 cases of infection were recorded. Most cases of the disease are observed in Germany, Turkey, and Italy. Currently, fatal measles infections have been recorded in Georgia and Ukraine. In Russia, cases of imported measles infection from countries visited by Russian tourists have become more frequent: China, Singapore, Italy, Turkey.

When planning a trip abroad, find out when adults are vaccinated against measles. Vaccination against measles is done according to the planned calendar, but you can get an emergency vaccination at any time a month before your intended departure.

What vaccines are used

“Live cultural measles vaccine” is produced in Russia and registered in 2007. The virus for it is grown in cell culture of Japanese quail eggs.
, manufactured by Merck Sharp&Dohme (Holland). Live vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella.
Belgian production company GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. Live measles, mumps, rubella vaccine.

Which vaccine to choose - domestic or imported?

The Priorix and MMR II vaccines are complex; they produce immunity against 3 diseases at once: measles, rubella, and mumps. Priorix can be used for vaccination not only against three infections simultaneously, but also separately for each disease.

The Russian vaccine produces antibodies only against measles.

All drugs have typed viruses and form stable immunity. Complex vaccines are interchangeable. Vaccination can be done with one vaccine, and revaccination with another.

According to the National Vaccination Calendar, the Russian vaccine is supplied to clinics. Imported vaccines are purchased at your own expense.

The virus for the live measles culture vaccine is grown in cell culture of Japanese quail eggs.

Live measles cultural vaccine is given in a dosage of 0.5 milliliters twice with an interval of 3 months. Immunity is provided for a period of about 20 years.

The MMR II and Priorix vaccines in adults are given a single dose of 0.5 ml at any age and repeated every 10 years.

Indications for vaccination for adults

The vaccine is given:

for routine vaccination of all adults against rubella, measles and mumps at the same time;
For emergency prevention when planning travel;
emergency prevention is done in case of contact with a person with measles; the vaccine in such cases is administered within 3 days after contact.

Vaccination when planning a trip abroad should be carried out 1 month before the planned trip.

Vaccination contraindications for adults

Measles vaccination for adults has contraindications. Temporary contraindications are respiratory infection or exacerbation of existing diseases. In this case, the vaccination is delayed for a month.

Absolute contraindications:

allergic reaction to chicken and quail eggs;
allergy to antibiotics;
allergic reaction to previous vaccination;
pregnancy and lactation period.

What reactions can there be to the vaccine?

Typically, when receiving measles vaccinations in adults, slight reaction:

redness at the injection site;
elevated temperature no more than 37.5 °C;
runny nose, cough;
joint pain.

The measles vaccine sometimes causes dangerous side effects in adults:

allergic shock;
hives;
possibly the appearance of allergic Quincke's edema.

After vaccination against measles, adults rarely experience severe consequences:

encephalitis;
myocarditis;
meningitis;
myocarditis;
pneumonia.

To avoid a severe reaction to a vaccine, adults must be healthy on the day of vaccination. Before vaccination, you should consult your doctor and inform him of any allergies to antibiotics or chicken protein and not eat unfamiliar foods.

Due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation in Russia and in all countries of the world, there is an urgent need to routinely vaccinate all adults against measles. Vaccinations are carried out according to the schedule of the National calendar with Russian and imported vaccines. All vaccinations are safe, interchangeable and effective. In order to minimize the occurrence of complications, you need to prepare for vaccination.

Many experts consider prevention to be the most the best way treatment of any disease. Sometimes it is precisely this wall that protects children from many infections. The measles vaccine is the only way, which guarantees human protection from this dangerous disease. Thanks to immunization, the morbidity rate in children and adults was reduced to 85%.

Measles, all about the disease

Measles has become quite rare disease in children over one year of age due to regular immunization. This infection is dangerous for humans. Let's note the most important features of this disease:

When infected, the child's temperature rises significantly. It can reach more than 40 0 C.
The disease is accompanied by symptoms similar to a cold (runny nose, dry cough, sneezing, sore throat). Specific manifestations are also observed in children, which include: hoarseness, photophobia, swelling of the eyelids, rashes on the body.
Infection of nearby people can occur up to 4 days of illness.
The development of the disease causes a sharp decline immunity in children. A number of bacterial complications can occur during infection.
After the mother suffers the disease, the child’s body will acquire immunity to the virus within 3 months, no more.
Measles is difficult for young children (under 5 years of age). One of dangerous complications considered fatal.
In 2011, the disease killed more than 100,000 children worldwide who were not vaccinated against measles.

The virus is spreading by airborne droplets. A person with measles is contagious even during the incubation period. The causative agent of the infection in question is unstable in the external environment; it dies after exposure to physical and mechanical factors.

The importance of measles vaccination, vaccination schedule

Experts believe vaccination is the only effective method prevention of infectious disease. It does not need to be done if a person has contraindications. The first measles vaccine should be given between 12 and 15 months of age. Vaccination should be done at an early age because adults are more susceptible to vaccination than children.

The measles vaccine is sometimes combined with many other vaccines. Measles vaccinations are often given at the same time, mumps, rubella.

According to the plan, 2 measles vaccinations should be given. We indicated the timing of the first vaccination above, and the second should be performed at the age of 6 years (provided there are no contraindications). Usually the time for revaccination falls during the period of . Experts recommend conducting a test before measles vaccination, or after some time has passed (after 1.5 months). At the same time, these vaccinations are given only if there are emergency indications in a child over one year old.

The routine vaccine is administered to children twice (12–15 months, 6 years). In rare cases, you need to deviate from this vaccination schedule:

If one of the family members is infected, everyone under the age of 40 must be vaccinated. The exception is children under one year old.
When a child is born from a mother in whose blood no antibodies to the virus are detected, the baby is vaccinated in the first 8 months of life. Then the child is vaccinated according to plan (14 – 15 months, 6 years).

Parents, and even children themselves, are interested in the question: where do they get vaccinated against measles? 0.5 ml. The drug is administered to a child or an adult in the following areas:

under the shoulder blade;
outer shoulder area.

Preparing for the injection

No special preparation is required for vaccination:

The measles vaccine can only be given healthy children(adults). There should be no signs of ARVI.
Before administering the drug, it is recommended to undergo a full examination by a doctor and take tests.

There are also rules for behavior after vaccination. They are as follows:

While taking a shower, you should not rub the area where the drug was injected.
Avoid visiting crowded places for three days.
You should not introduce new products to your child’s menu.

Measles vaccine for adults

If an adult decides to get vaccinated, he is recommended to undergo tests to detect antibodies to the infection. A person can have a latent form of measles without even knowing it. In this case, experts say that vaccination is not necessary.

Once the height of the epidemic has been confirmed, vaccinations cannot be done. If a person does not have a first vaccination, he should be vaccinated before traveling to a dangerous region (no later than 2 weeks before departure). The most cases of infection with the virus have been recorded in France, Germany, Great Britain, Romania, Italy, Denmark, Uzbekistan, and Spain.

The measles vaccine is given only for a certain period. Repeated administration of the drug is necessary after 3–5 years. The time for repeated vaccination in adults depends on the characteristics of the body and the vaccination schedule in the country.

Adults are vaccinated against measles up to 35 years of age, twice with a 3-month break between vaccinations. Revaccination is not needed. The body will remain immune to infection for more than 12 years. For adults, the drug is injected into the shoulder (upper third).

This infectious disease is dangerous due to complications. Among the most severe complications we indicate:

encephalitis;
pneumonia;
otitis;
meningoencephalitis;
pyelonephritis;
sinusitis;
hepatitis;
meningitis;
Eustachitis.

What vaccines are used?

The measles vaccine contains live or weakened viruses. In this state, they are unable to cause illness in the child, but only help to develop the body’s immunity to infection. Features of the measles vaccine:

Thermal lability. The vaccine loses its properties when exposed to conditions with an uncomfortable temperature. Its storage should be carried out at temperatures up to 4 0 C, not higher. High/low temperatures provoke rapid destruction of the drug.
If any unused vaccine remains, it should be destroyed.
The drug should be administered with caution to people allergic to the antibiotic or egg white.

Mono-vaccines can be used for preventive purposes, combination vaccines(they also protect against rubella, mumps). Vaccines used:

"Ruwax." Made in France.
LCV (monovaccine).
Mumps-measles vaccine (Russia).
Priorix (UK).
MMR (combined measles, rubella, mumps). Made in USA.

How to choose a measles vaccine? The issue is quite complex; to solve it, consultation with a specialist is necessary. The doctor will be able to choose the best option by assessing the tolerability of a particular drug.

Even after vaccination, a child can get measles. The disease can develop when a child’s immunity has sharply decreased after a single vaccination. But if a child over one year of age becomes infected, the infection will be much easier to bear. Vaccination in this case helps to stop the development of the disease and prevent it. severe course, reduce the risk of complications.

Reaction to vaccination

Immunoprophylaxis is carried out using a weak live vaccine. It is very important to know whether and what consequences can occur after measles vaccination. The measles vaccine can provoke 2 types of reactions:

general (redness of the throat, slight cough, hyperemia, 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). The child may experience nosebleeds, decreased appetite, a measles-like rash, and malaise.

The reaction to the measles vaccine varies depending on the severity of the symptoms:

Weak. The temperature increase is noted by only 1 0 C. The symptoms of intoxication that we discussed above are not observed.
Average. The temperature rises within 37.6 – 38.5 0 C. Mild symptoms of intoxication are present.
Strong. The child has a very high temperature, weakness (for a short time), rash, cough, redness of the throat.

The above symptoms may occur when a single vaccine is administered (immunity against measles only). If combined vaccinations are carried out (rubella, mumps), additional symptoms may appear (inflammation salivary glands, joint pain).

Possible complications

Parents are concerned about how the measles vaccine is tolerated. Can they manifest themselves? post-vaccination complications? In medical practice, cases of severe complications have been recorded (very few). Usually the cause of complications lies in:

violation of vaccination technique;
failure to comply with contraindications;
individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
poor quality vaccine.

There may be such side effects after vaccination:

Contraindications to vaccination for children and adults

Vaccination against measles will help prevent dangerous consequences diseases. But there are contraindications. In some cases, a child (adult) cannot be vaccinated against measles either at 12 months or again at the age of 6 years:

pregnancy;
primary immunodeficiency;
the presence of severe complications from a previous vaccination;
presence of allergies to aminoglycosides, chicken protein;
neoplasm (malignant);
vaccination is postponed for 3 months in case of administration of immunoglobulin and blood products;
acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). Vaccination is contraindicated in the development of its severe form. If there are no clinical manifestations of HIV infection, administer live vaccine allowed.

Documentation Features

All vaccinations are carried out only with the consent of the parents. Vaccinations performed must be documented. Measles vaccination also falls under this rule.

How does the vaccination process take place? Initially, the pediatrician examines the child. Before the drug is administered, parents are given a form to sign indicating that they consent to this medical procedure.

If parents are against vaccination, they are required to issue a written refusal to the procedure. The signature of one of them is enough. The refusal must be drawn up in two copies. The doctor pastes the first copy into the child’s card, copy No. 2 should be attached to the local journal “On immunization of the population.” Parents file an annual waiver of vaccination.

Preventing measles

Measles vaccination is considered the only preventive measure. The weakened virus is not dangerous to health; it will help the body develop immunity to the disease. Sometimes emergency prevention is needed. It consists of vaccination within 2–3 days after a child (over 6 months of age) comes into contact 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 and people who have had measles. After 2–3 months, active immunization can be done.

For many centuries, due to its high mortality rate, measles was considered one of the most dangerous diseases childhood. In Russia, every fourth child died from measles, which gave rise to calling this disease the childhood plague. Preventive actions against measles have been carried out since 1916. After the development of the measles vaccine, morbidity and mortality were reduced hundreds of times. However, even in our time, the mortality rate from measles is high. According to World Organization Health care, about 900 thousand (!) children die from measles every year around the world.

As is known, viruses that cause infections are able to reproduce only in certain cells of the human body, which determines the symptoms of the disease, and its severity depends on the number of cells damaged by the virus. The measles virus has a special affinity for cells respiratory system, intestines, and, importantly, to the cells of the central nervous system. You can get measles at any age; among unvaccinated children, children from 1 to 5 years old are more likely to get measles. Up to one year old, babies rarely get sick due to the small number of contacts and the presence of passive immunity received from the mother during pregnancy. This immunity lasts no longer than 1 year after birth. If the mother has not had measles, the child may become ill in the first months of life.

Symptoms and course of measles

The measles virus enters the body through the mucous membrane respiratory tract and conjunctiva. From the moment of infection to the first symptoms of the disease, it usually takes 8-12 days, in some cases this period extends to 28 days. At the onset of the disease, symptoms similar to colds appear: increasing general malaise, lethargy, headache, the child becomes whiny and refuses to eat. Typical appearance sick person: puffy face, red, watery eyes. The patient is bothered by a runny nose and dry cough. The temperature rises to 39-40° and does not decrease, despite antipyretic measures. On days 1-2 of the disease, small whitish spots appear on the mucous membrane of the cheeks (it is their detection that helps the pediatrician diagnose measles even before a widespread rash appears on the child’s body). And then, from 4-5 days from the onset of the disease, a gradual spread of the rash is noted: first behind the ears, on the face, neck, over the next day the rash appears on the torso and arms and on the 3rd day appears on the child’s legs. The rash consists of small red spots, they can merge into large spots, between which one can see healthy skin. As the rash spreads, the temperature remains elevated and the cough intensifies. In the first days of the disease, some children develop severe measles pneumonia.

Over the next 3-5 days, with a favorable course, the symptoms of the disease decrease and the temperature drops. The course of measles and the intensity of rashes in different children, depending on individual characteristics immune system vary from mild to severe, life-threatening forms.

It should be said that the measles virus significantly weakens the immune system and this, along with damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and digestive tract, creates conditions for joining bacterial infection. The child may develop complications: inflammation of the middle ear ( otitis media), larynx (laryngitis), up to the development of its edema (measles croup), bacterial pneumonia etc. In one child out of 1-2 thousand cases, measles is complicated by brain damage. Complications most often occur in children under 5 years of age.

Prevention

The only one in an effective way To protect a child from measles, as well as from many other infectious diseases, is vaccination.

The main place in the prevention of measles is given to active immunization, i.e. introduction of live, highly weakened viruses into the body. It should be noted that the vaccine virus is so weakened that it is not dangerous either for the vaccinated person or for those around him. After grafting, slightly more weak immunity than if the child got sick naturally, but it is enough to reliably protect your child from this disease for life.

If your unvaccinated child, who is over 6 months old, comes into contact with someone who has measles, you can protect him by giving him a live measles vaccine within the next 2-3 days.

For the youngest children (from 3 to 6 months and older, if there are contraindications for the administration of live measles vaccine), normal human immunoglobulin (a drug containing protective antibodies obtained from the serum of those who have had measles or donors) is used as emergency prophylaxis. Such immunization is passive; antibodies introduced from outside circulate in the child’s blood for no longer than 2-3 months, after which active immunization can be carried out.

Vaccination rules

Vaccination against measles is carried out twice: the first - at the age of 12-15 months, the second - at 6 years, before school. Using a second dose of the vaccine helps protect those children who have not been vaccinated previously, as well as those who have not developed sufficiently stable immunity after the first dose. For reference: vaccination against measles in countries with high incidence is carried out at the age of 9 and even 6 months in order to protect infants, in whom the disease is especially severe. The timing of vaccination against measles coincides with vaccination against rubella and mumps. The coincidence in time of three vaccinations at once should not confuse you: the immune system of children from the very early age successfully repels collective attacks of a much larger number of microorganisms. Probability of occurrence adverse reactions does not increase when these vaccines are added together.

Below are vaccines containing measles component and registered in Russia.

Single vaccines (measles component only):

1. Dry measles vaccine (Russia).

2. Ruvax (Aventis Pasteur, France).

Combined vaccines:

1. Mumps-measles vaccine (Russia).

2. MMR II (measles, rubella, mumps) (Merck Sharp & Dohme, USA).

3. Priorix (measles, rubella, mumps) (Smithkline Beecham Biologicals, UK).

Despite the fact that the composition of the vaccines is different, they all demonstrated a good level of immunogenicity (i.e. the ability to form immunity) and tolerability. The differences relate mainly to two aspects. First: imported drugs are prepared on embryos chicken eggs and for this reason are contraindicated for those who have had a strong reaction to chicken egg whites. Russian vaccines do not have this drawback, since they are prepared on Japanese quail embryos. True, in fairness it should be noted that strong allergic reactions to chicken egg whites are extremely rare.

And second: imported drugs are produced in the most convenient combined form and protect against three diseases at once: measles, mumps (mumps) and rubella. And the combined form means fewer ballast substances, fewer injections (and therefore stress for the child), and finally, fewer visits to the doctor. IN district clinic You will most likely be given an injection only with the domestic mono-vaccine against measles. True, a domestic combined vaccine against measles and mumps has been developed and has already begun to be used (although not everywhere).

In the vast majority of cases, combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccines can only be purchased at pharmacies or commercial vaccination centers.

According to the instructions for the Russian monovaccine, the measles vaccine is injected subcutaneously under the shoulder blade or into the shoulder area (at the border of the lower and middle third of the shoulder from the outside). Imported vaccines, again according to the instructions, are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly (the specific injection site is determined by the doctor). At simultaneous use several mono-vaccines, they are administered with separate syringes into different areas body, and combined vaccines are collected in one syringe. You have the legal right to choose which vaccines your child will receive, but you will have to pay to purchase vaccines not purchased by the Ministry of Health. You can also go to one of the many vaccination centers where you can choose from several vaccines. If the vaccination is not carried out in your clinic, do not forget to take a certificate of its implementation so that the local pediatrician enters information about it in the outpatient card child at his place of residence. This will save you from unnecessary questions in the future, for example, when your child enters kindergarten or school.

General rules for parents to follow for any vaccination:

Knowing in advance about the timing of vaccination, try to avoid contact with infections; before vaccination, do not expose the child’s body to unnecessary stress (hypothermia, excessive solar radiation, change of climatic and time zones), since any stress changes the reactivity of the immune system.

Contraindications for vaccination:

Severe reactions or complications to a previous dose of vaccine.
Severe allergic reactions to the use of aminoglycosides (all measles vaccines contain a small amount of one of the antibiotics from this group).
Severe allergic reactions ( anaphylactic shock) on bird eggs.
Any acute illness or exacerbation chronic disease. We emphasize that in this case we are talking about postponing the vaccination date, and not about refusing it. However, in some cases (contact with a person with measles), the vaccine can be given to children with light forms respiratory infections(runny nose, redness of the pharynx) and those recovering even in the presence of low-grade fever (up to 37.5 ° C).
Primary or secondary immunodeficiency; condition after infectious diseases that clearly suppress the immune system (influenza, infectious mononucleosis), for 3-4 weeks.
Patients receiving treatment with drugs that weaken the immune system.
Administration of blood products (whole blood, plasma, immunoglobulin) during the last 8 weeks before the intended vaccination.
Some cancers.

Child's health after vaccination

The measles vaccine rarely causes adverse reactions, and complications in vaccinated people are also very rare.

A small proportion of vaccinated people may have weak adverse reactions in the form of an increase in temperature to 38°C, sometimes there is conjunctivitis and a mild rash. The listed symptoms are possible in the period from 5-6 to 12-18 (different sources give different periods) day; they last for 2-3 days. This is the natural course of the vaccination process.

After vaccination the following are possible: complications:

Allergic reactions of varying degreesseverity. If there is a possibility of their development, the child should be given 10-12 days before vaccination and within the same time after it. antihistamine in the age dosage given in the annotation for a particular medicine.
Convulsions against the background of increased temperature in children predisposed to them. Your doctor may prescribe paracetamol to prevent them.
Damage to the central nervous system, its probability is very low (1 in a million cases of vaccination).

It can be added that complications that develop after vaccination occur in a much milder form than after natural measles.

Measles vaccination and pregnancy

Measles is dangerous for pregnant women - in 20% of cases, measles during pregnancy is complicated by termination of pregnancy and fetal malformations. Because the measles vaccine contains live viruses, pregnancy is a contraindication for vaccination.

Let us remind you that contact with a child who exhibits symptoms of measles infection after vaccination is safe for others, including pregnant women.

A few words in conclusion

At the beginning of the article, a terrible figure was given - 900 thousand children dying from measles every year. As incredible as it may seem, only 100 (!) cases of measles were reported in the United States over the entire last year. In this country, measles is on the verge of complete eradication. And this success was achieved solely thanks to widespread vaccination. Let us also take care of our children.

Measles– an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus. The pathology spreads through airborne droplets, which means you can become infected even by talking.

The course of the disease in an unvaccinated person is complicated, and the consequences are often irreversible. Doctors' recommendations should not be neglected.

Timely immunization will help avoid serious problems with health. Operating since 2014 Government program, according to which in the Russian Federation citizens under 35 years of age are vaccinated free of charge (Order of the Ministry of Health No. 125n).

Viruses prefer cells of the central nervous system, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. The larger the affected area, the worse it is for the patient.

Measles is a pathology without age restrictions, so both children and adults can suffer from it.

Having penetrated the human body, the RNA-containing virus spreads throughout it through the bloodstream. It affects the nasopharynx, mucous membranes of the organs of vision, and enters the lymph nodes. In the first 10 days, the disease practically does not manifest itself. The signs that occur are difficult to identify.

Measles is characterized clinical picture, which is very similar to the symptoms of “colds” diseases.

Severe headaches, cough, and nasal discharge appear. Then hyperthermia occurs. It's quite difficult to get rid of it. After 4 days, whitish spots form on the patient’s mucous membranes, and a rash quickly spreads throughout the body. Skin rashes appear as small red spots that then merge. These specific symptoms become conclusive evidence of measles infection.

Measles can occur in different ways. The intensity of symptoms depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. The pathology can be complicated by otitis media, laryngitis, measles croup, pneumonia, and brain damage.

Importance of vaccination

Measles used to be called the “childhood plague.” But over time she was defeated. In this case the best treatment is prevention. Vaccination against measles in children and adults is included in the official vaccination calendar.

Timely immunization guarantees protection against this pathology for 10-15 years. The validity period depends on the patient’s age, state of health and susceptibility to infectious diseases. The schedule is drawn up by the attending physician.

Types of vaccine

Vaccination against measles is often combined with the prevention of other pathologies, for example, chicken pox, mumps and rubella. The vaccine is created from weakened viruses. It can be single-, bi- and polycomponent. Thanks to its effect, the body produces antibodies that are able to resist this pathogen. There is absolutely no chance of contracting measles.

Store the drug at a temperature not exceeding +4 degrees Celsius. In addition to the immobilized RNA virus, it contains antibiotics and egg white. Therefore, measles vaccination is contraindicated for people who are allergic to these ingredients.

Otherwise Negative consequences will not keep you waiting.

In the Russian Federation, domestic drugs are used to immunize the adult population, including measles monovaccine and mumps-measles vaccine. The advantages of the first include fewer side effects. The use of compounds produced in France (Ruvax), the USA (MMP II) and the UK (Priorix) is also permitted. All of them have proven themselves with the best side, proving high efficiency and no problems with tolerability.

Vaccination calendar

Measles vaccination in children and adults is given in accordance with National calendar preventive vaccinations(Order of the Ministry of Health No. 125n). This can only be done after the patient signs written consent. This procedure is carried out annually.

Before administering the vaccine, your doctor will advise you on:

What complications may appear after vaccination?
What does the measles vaccine consist of, and where is it given?
When does revaccination take place?
Up to what age can you get vaccinated for free?
What are the most common side effects?
What not to do after measles vaccination.

There are routine and emergency immunizations.

When is the last one done?

It is carried out if:

The sick person had contact with other people during the incubation period. Everyone who may have been infected is vaccinated against measles.
The woman in labor did not get vaccinated in a timely manner. This is detected by not finding measles antibodies in her blood. In this case, the child is vaccinated in a special order. The first - a few days after birth, the second - at 8 months, the subsequent ones - taking into account the standard schedule. It provides for vaccination at 12 months and revaccination at 6-7 years (before entering school).
A woman who has not been immunized is planning a pregnancy. Vaccination should be done before it occurs.
The person is at risk. This applies to teachers, students and medical workers.
There is no proof of vaccination. In this situation, it is better to undergo prevention than to get sick later. This is especially important when traveling abroad.

Vaccination against measles for adults is carried out in two stages. The interval between them must be at least 3 months.

When carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to comply with several important rules. The vaccine is administered to the child in the subscapular area. The amount of the drug should not exceed 0.5 ml.

Where do they go for adults?

It is most convenient to do an intramuscular (subcutaneous) graft in the upper third of the shoulder. Injecting the vaccine into a vein is strictly prohibited.

The procedure for immunization epidemic indications regulated by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 125n dated March 21, 2014. It states: how measles vaccination is given to children and adults; when vaccination and revaccination is done; how many times in life should the vaccine be administered?

Preparation for the procedure

This is the stage on which the result of the entire procedure depends. The measles vaccine can only be administered healthy person. For ARVI and others infectious diseases It is not recommended to do this. Before the procedure you must pass lab tests prescribed by a doctor.

Therefore, before immunization (the date is usually known in advance), contact with infected people, stress, exposure unfavorable factors(hypothermia, overheating). These factors negatively affect the state of the immune system.

Contraindications

When should you not vaccinate?

It cannot be carried out for the following reasons:

Deterioration of health due to the development of infectious and non-infectious pathologies.
Pregnancy.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Allergic reaction to drugs from the antibiotic group or aminoglycosides. This is the name given to the proteins of quail and chicken eggs; they are part of the vaccine.
Primary immunodeficiency.
The presence of malignant neoplasms.

You should also pay attention to the compatibility of the components of the administered drug and the medications taken. The use of some of them will have to be stopped a few days before vaccination. This applies to blood products. People who have been given them cannot be vaccinated because they have a weakened immune system.

Adverse reactions

After vaccination, patients may experience side effects. Most often noted occurrence painful sensations at the injection site, lump formation and discoloration skin. These are signs of an inflammatory process.

After 5-7 days, your body temperature may rise. This symptom is not clinical manifestation pathological changes. Thus, the body fights the “invaders,” which indicates the activation of the process of producing specific antibodies.

On the 10th day after vaccination, signs of toxic effects often appear.

The following symptoms are typical for this period:

A sore throat
Skin rashes.
Intoxication.

It lasts 5-6 days. More serious complications include angioedema, joint pain, convulsive syndrome, confusion.

The patient may be diagnosed with meningitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, or anaphylactic shock. These manifestations require immediate hospitalization. They can only be stopped in a hospital setting.

Relief of condition

To relieve discomfort at home, you will need to use gels and ointments with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and absorbable effects. May be useful medicines, reducing body temperature. Painkillers will be of real benefit.

All medications must be approved by the attending physician. Otherwise, your health will worsen.

Do not rub the injection site. In the first 10 days after vaccination, you should not add new foods to the diet. You will also have to refuse to visit the bathhouse and sauna. It is better not to overuse the bath. The best option may become a shower.

Conclusion

Measles- this is a serious disease, which even in our time sometimes ends fatal. Therefore, there is no need to neglect its prevention. The time spent visiting the doctor will pay off in years of life, without the risk of contracting the RNA virus.

Measles is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. Before the introduction of widespread vaccination, 90% of children under 10 years of age encountered it. Although they say that the disease is more difficult for adults to endure, when mortality statistics say the opposite, it is hard to believe: in our time, about 900 thousand children die from measles a year. Along with rubella and chickenpox, it easily spreads with air flow over tens of meters: and in order to become infected, it is not at all necessary to be near a sick person. It is because of their prevalence that many people become ill with them in childhood, but lifelong immunity is guaranteed; volatile viral infection clings to a person only once.

Children are more susceptible to virus attacks than others. Measles bypasses the protective membranes of the respiratory system and enters through the mucous membrane. Incubation period lasts about twelve days. Many people mistakenly confuse the first symptoms with a cold: lethargy, cough, runny nose, fever. But the very next day the cheeks become covered with whitish spots, and after a couple of days a rash begins to cover the body, spreading from the face and behind the ears.

Depending on the strength of the immune system, measles can be complicated by otitis media, laryngitis, and pneumonia. Data Diseases can be fatal when there is no proper treatment. Developed encephalitis and pathologies of the nervous system, progressing slowly but surely, will also have adverse consequences.

How to protect your child from illness

Every child over the age of one is offered a vaccination against measles, as well as against diseases such as rubella and mumps, by a pediatrician. Subsequent revaccination is carried out at the age of six years, before entering school. Next - at 15-17 years old. Immunity through vaccination is, of course, weaker than that of children who have been ill, but this is quite enough for effective protection from infection. Prevention includes a live vaccine that is not dangerous to others.

According to the calendar, the measles vaccination coincides with the mumps and rubella vaccination, and is usually administered combination medicine. If there are contraindications or previously administered drugs, the composition is changed. The presence of several vaccines together will not cause a more severe side reaction, as parents worry, but will only allow children to be less traumatized by giving one injection instead of several.

Who is prohibited from vaccination?

There are two types of contraindications to vaccination: permanent and temporary. Depending on the reactions to previous vaccinations and the child’s tendency to allergic manifestations, the following prohibitions are prescribed:

complications or severe adverse reactions to a previous vaccination;
exacerbation of a chronic disease or acute period current;
immunosuppressive therapy;
signs of human immunodeficiency and impaired cellular immunity;
oncological blood diseases (lymphomas, leukemia and other tumors);
anaphylactic manifestations of chicken egg whites and aminoglycosides;
administration of blood products to the child in the last 3 months.

How does vaccination work?

If the child has had contact with a sick person, then vaccination should be done as soon as possible, within a few hours.

If an unvaccinated child has been in contact with a person with measles, the vaccine should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within the first days. Children over 6 months of age are given injections even if infection has occurred. Babies under six months are usually given immunoglobulin; it is less effective, but it creates protection against the virus for about 3 months.

In other cases, the first vaccination takes place as planned at one year of age. The part of the body where the injection is given depends on the country that produces the vaccine. The imported composition is injected into the buttock, and domestic ones are injected into the thigh or the area under the shoulder blade.

Adverse reactions and complications after vaccination

The consequences of vaccination usually appear on the first day and 5-15 days after the injection. We must remember this natural reaction the body to introduce an infection, albeit in a small dose. Most often there is an elevated temperature, up to 40 degrees. It cannot be left unattended and must be reduced with ibuprofen and paracetamol; high fever in young children can provoke convulsions. In addition, a cough and minor rash may appear, similar to a measles rash, but not requiring treatment.

To exclude allergic reactions It is worth giving your child antihistamines prescribed by a pediatrician.

In rare cases, measles vaccination has complications, which include:

heavy allergic manifestations, including urticaria, anaphylactic shock;
pneumonia;
encephalitis and panencephalitis;
myocarditis;
glomerulonephritis;
toxic shock;
decreased number of platelets in the blood;
convulsions from fever;
stomach ache.

If vaccination dates are missed

If after the first vaccination at the age of 12 months the child has not received the dose of the drug as planned, then the injection is given as soon as possible, but at least six months must pass before the next pre-school vaccination. Children over 6 years of age who have not been vaccinated before need to be vaccinated twice, 30-45 days apart.

Let's sum it up

Measles is far from a harmless infection. In its arsenal it has many complications that can lead to the death of a person. Children are especially susceptible to infection, so it is worth taking more careful care of the child’s health and taking timely measures to protect him from serious illnesses. Therefore, vaccination is a reliable means, effective in 96% of cases.

Don't be afraid to get vaccinated and consult a doctor. A competent pediatrician will select a vaccine taking into account the characteristics of your child’s body in order to minimize the possibility of adverse reactions. Do not trust the health of your children to unverified sources and remember that vaccination is done at your request.