Hepatitis A vaccination consequences. Reaction to hepatitis A vaccine

Hepatitis vaccination at 1 month rarely causes severe side effects. The most typical consequences include a local reaction to the injected drug. A general response of the body in the form of malaise and a low rise in body temperature is slightly less common. The second vaccination is carried out a month after the initial administration of the drug.

Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease of viral origin, which primarily affects liver cells and is highly resistant to many antiviral drugs.

There are various forms of hepatitis, for example, with acute symptoms of jaundice or liver failure. The disease can lead to the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The vaccination agreement form is given to you to sign in the maternity hospital. If consent has been signed, the newborn is re-vaccinated at one month. In infants, the immune system is underdeveloped and the disease often leads to serious consequences. If you start the scheme at this time, its effectiveness will be much higher.

The reaction after receiving the vaccine is different for all children. It all depends on general health child at the time of the procedure and the functioning of the immune system.

Vaccination, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, is not compulsory. Any adult can write a refusal to undergo vaccination. Therefore, the question of whether it is necessary to vaccinate a child against hepatitis is decided by parents independently.

A child's normal reaction to a vaccine

Parents, concerned about the health of their baby, often wonder what reaction to the hepatitis B vaccine is considered normal? Ideally, there should be no changes in the child’s behavior and condition. Overly sensitive children may experience the following symptoms:

• rise in body temperature, but not higher than 37.5 degrees;
• increased sweating;
• pain in the place where the drug was injected;
• decreased appetite, moodiness, restless sleep in the first two days after vaccination.

All other occurring reactions that last more than one day are classified as pathological. This may be a rash, high body temperature, nausea, frequent regurgitation, joint pain.

If severe vomiting or convulsions occur, the condition indicates the beginning of some infectious process that is not related to the vaccine.

Most children tolerate the vaccine well. After approximately 3–4 weeks, immunity is formed and the body’s protective reaction against the disease is activated.

Consequences of hepatitis vaccination in children

Doctors assure that all modern vaccines supplied to hospitals are highly safe and effective. Adverse reactions to hepatitis B vaccination are very rare.

General malaise

In newborns, vaccination is usually easy, painless and rarely causes adverse reactions. The body feels weak, drowsy, and has a slight headache. The baby becomes irritable, cries for a long time, does not leave the breast, falls asleep and sleeps only in his arms, sleep is intermittent, and the baby often wakes up crying.

You should consult a specialist if the signs of general malaise do not go away for more than two days and other warning symptoms have appeared.

Temperature

Since thermoregulation processes are not established in newborns, the body is susceptible to any environmental changes.

• The temperature of a baby after vaccination against hepatitis B most often does not exceed 37.5 degrees. The rise is recorded 6–7 hours after vaccination, which is a normal immune response to foreign bodies.
• The average degree of post-vaccination reaction is characterized by a rise in temperature to 38.5 degrees and requires the use of antipyretics.
• In severe cases, the measurement on the thermometer exceeds 38.5 degrees.

Induration and redness at injection sites

Another common side effect after hepatitis vaccination in newborns is a local reaction. It develops due to the body's increased sensitivity to the main component of many vaccines. The injection site swells, turns red, hardens, and pain appears when pressed lightly. Symptoms worsen if water gets into the injection site.

The reaction is considered normal if the swelling and induration do not exceed 6–7 cm, and the redness does not exceed 8 cm. After the drug enters the bloodstream, the inflammation will go away by itself (in about a week). It is not recommended to apply compresses or use ointments.

Dangerous complications after hepatitis B vaccination

Despite all precautions and taking into account all possible contraindications, there is always a percentage of complications. Complications after hepatitis vaccination include:

• severe allergic manifestations such as urticaria, anaphylactic shock, severe rash all over the body, myocarditis, arthritis;
• erythema nodosum;
• rise in body temperature to 40 degrees;
• severe muscle and joint pain;
• neurological disorders.

Vaccination prevents liver diseases caused by hepatitis A and B. Numerous studies have shown that vaccination has no effect on the development of jaundice in newborns, and even reduces the risk of its development. Therefore, no liver treatment is required after the procedure.

To avoid all these complications, you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations. For two days after vaccination, you should not get the injection site wet, you should not introduce new foods into the nursing mother’s diet, and it is better to avoid walking outside. It is not recommended to give vitamin D during the week.

Hepatitis B is a dangerous disease with a high risk of developing liver cirrhosis and cancer, which pose a threat to the health and life of the child. In most children infected with hepatitis, the disease passes from the acute form to the chronic stage.

Which hepatitis B vaccine is used?

To develop stable and good immunity to the disease, three vaccinations are necessary. Vaccines can be combined (include additional components), and there is also another type - a single vaccine.

In our country, Russian and foreign hepatitis vaccines are used:

• Biovac.
• Bubo Kok (prevents diseases such as whooping cough, hepatitis, tetanus and diphtheria).
• Regevak.
• Recombinant yeast vaccine.
• Engerix V.
• Eberbiovak.

Both imported and Russian vaccines are characterized by high reliability and safety; they are all interchangeable. The difference may only lie in the components, so doctors recommend vaccinations as part of a course from the same manufacturer.

Where are newborns vaccinated?

Vaccination does not require special preparation. Before the procedure, the doctor examines the child, measures the temperature, and listens to the chest. If there are no deviations in the child’s health, then a referral is given to the vaccination office.

The injections can be given intramuscularly in the thigh or shoulder. 1 ml of the drug is taken into a special syringe. The drug cannot be injected under the skin, as this reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine and causes a strong local reaction.

For infants and children under three years of age, the drug is injected into the thigh. This is where the muscles that are closest to the skin are best developed. All this helps prevent the occurrence of strong local reactions. For children over three years of age and adults, the injection is given in the shoulder.

Contraindications

Before the procedure, the child is examined for contraindications. If any abnormalities are detected, the doctor signs a medical exemption, which can be temporary or permanent. Vaccinations in such cases often lead to complications:

• If you have intolerance to baker's yeast, the drug should not be administered. In this case, the body’s reaction to the hepatitis vaccine may manifest itself as an allergy.
• Severe tolerance to the previous vaccination.
• Contraindication is the acute course of any disease.
• If a child was born with insufficient body weight, then the vaccine cannot be given until he gains 2 kg.
• Diathesis (vaccination is given only after the rash subsides) and other allergic manifestations.
• Digestive tract disorder.
• Malignant blood diseases.
• Oncological diseases.

Hepatitis vaccination at 1 month rarely causes severe side effects. The most typical consequences include a local reaction to the injected drug. A general response of the body in the form of malaise and a low rise in body temperature is slightly less common. The second vaccination is carried out a month after the initial administration of the drug.

Is vaccination against hepatitis B required?

Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease of viral origin, which primarily affects liver cells and is highly resistant to many antiviral drugs.

There are various forms of hepatitis, for example, with acute symptoms of jaundice or liver failure. The disease can lead to the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The vaccination agreement form is given to you to sign in the maternity hospital. If consent has been signed, the newborn is re-vaccinated at one month. In infants, the immune system is underdeveloped and the disease often leads to serious consequences. If you start the scheme at this time, its effectiveness will be much higher.

The reaction after receiving the vaccine is different for all children. It all depends on the general health of the child at the time of the procedure and the functioning of the immune system.

Vaccination, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, is not compulsory. Any adult can write a refusal to undergo vaccination. Therefore, the question of whether it is necessary to vaccinate a child against hepatitis is decided by parents independently.

A child's normal reaction to a vaccine

Parents, concerned about the health of their baby, often wonder what reaction to the hepatitis B vaccine is considered normal? Ideally, there should be no changes in the child’s behavior and condition. Overly sensitive children may experience the following symptoms:

• rise in body temperature, but not higher than 37.5 degrees;
• increased sweating;
• pain in the place where the drug was injected;
• decreased appetite, moodiness, restless sleep in the first two days after vaccination.

All other occurring reactions that last more than one day are classified as pathological. This may be a rash, high body temperature, nausea, frequent regurgitation, joint pain.

If severe vomiting or convulsions occur, the condition indicates the beginning of some infectious process that is not related to the vaccine.

Most children tolerate the vaccine well. After approximately 3–4 weeks, immunity is formed and the body’s protective reaction against the disease is activated.

Consequences of hepatitis vaccination in children

Doctors assure that all modern vaccines supplied to hospitals are highly safe and effective. Adverse reactions to hepatitis B vaccination are very rare.

General malaise

In newborns, vaccination is usually easy, painless and rarely causes adverse reactions. The body feels weak, drowsy, and has a slight headache. The baby becomes irritable, cries for a long time, does not leave the breast, falls asleep and sleeps only in his arms, sleep is intermittent, and the baby often wakes up crying.

You should consult a specialist if the signs of general malaise do not go away for more than two days and other warning symptoms have appeared.

Temperature

Since thermoregulation processes are not established in newborns, the body is susceptible to any environmental changes.

• The temperature of a baby after vaccination against hepatitis B most often does not exceed 37.5 degrees. The rise is recorded 6–7 hours after vaccination, which is a normal immune response to foreign bodies.
• The average degree of post-vaccination reaction is characterized by a rise in temperature to 38.5 degrees and requires the use of antipyretics.
• In severe cases, the measurement on the thermometer exceeds 38.5 degrees.

Induration and redness at injection sites

Another common side effect after hepatitis vaccination in newborns is a local reaction. It develops due to the body's increased sensitivity to the main component of many vaccines. The injection site swells, turns red, hardens, and pain appears when pressed lightly. Symptoms worsen if water gets into the injection site.

The reaction is considered normal if the swelling and induration do not exceed 6–7 cm, and the redness does not exceed 8 cm. After the drug enters the bloodstream, the inflammation will go away by itself (in about a week). It is not recommended to apply compresses or use ointments.

Dangerous complications after hepatitis B vaccination

Despite all precautions and taking into account all possible contraindications, there is always a percentage of complications. Complications after hepatitis vaccination include:

• severe allergic manifestations such as urticaria, anaphylactic shock, severe rash all over the body, myocarditis, arthritis;
• erythema nodosum;
• rise in body temperature to 40 degrees;
• severe muscle and joint pain;
• neurological disorders.

Vaccination prevents liver diseases caused by hepatitis A and B. Numerous studies have shown that vaccination has no effect on the development of jaundice in newborns, and even reduces the risk of its development. Therefore, no liver treatment is required after the procedure.

To avoid all these complications, you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations. For two days after vaccination, you should not get the injection site wet, you should not introduce new foods into the nursing mother’s diet, and it is better to avoid walking outside. It is not recommended to give vitamin D during the week.

Hepatitis B is a dangerous disease with a high risk of developing liver cirrhosis and cancer, which pose a threat to the health and life of the child. In most children infected with hepatitis, the disease passes from the acute form to the chronic stage.

Which hepatitis B vaccine is used?

To develop stable and good immunity to the disease, three vaccinations are necessary. Vaccines can be combined (include additional components), and there is also another type - a single vaccine.

In our country, Russian and foreign hepatitis vaccines are used:

• Biovac.
• Bubo Kok (prevents diseases such as whooping cough, hepatitis, tetanus and diphtheria).
• Regevak.
• Recombinant yeast vaccine.
• Engerix V.
• Eberbiovak.

Both imported and Russian vaccines are characterized by high reliability and safety; they are all interchangeable. The difference may only lie in the components, so doctors recommend vaccinations as part of a course from the same manufacturer.

Where are newborns vaccinated?

Vaccination does not require special preparation. Before the procedure, the doctor examines the child, measures the temperature, and listens to the chest. If there are no deviations in the child’s health, then a referral is given to the vaccination office.

The injections can be given intramuscularly in the thigh or shoulder. 1 ml of the drug is taken into a special syringe. The drug cannot be injected under the skin, as this reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine and causes a strong local reaction.

For infants and children under three years of age, the drug is injected into the thigh. This is where the muscles that are closest to the skin are best developed. All this helps prevent the occurrence of strong local reactions. For children over three years of age and adults, the injection is given in the shoulder.

Contraindications

Before the procedure, the child is examined for contraindications. If any abnormalities are detected, the doctor signs a medical exemption, which can be temporary or permanent. Vaccinations in such cases often lead to complications:

• If you have intolerance to baker's yeast, the drug should not be administered. In this case, the body’s reaction to the hepatitis vaccine may manifest itself as an allergy.
• Severe tolerance to the previous vaccination.
• Contraindication is the acute course of any disease.
• If a child was born with insufficient body weight, then the vaccine cannot be given until he gains 2 kg.
• Diathesis (vaccination is given only after the rash subsides) and other allergic manifestations.
• Digestive tract disorder.
• Malignant blood diseases.
• Oncological diseases.

If the vaccine has been given healthy child, then he will not face any serious complications. If the vaccination was given in the presence of any pathology, there is a high risk of developing serious disorders.

For liver diseases, vaccination is not an absolute contraindication. There are cases when the vaccine is administered during the onset of an acute hepatitis disease (it has not yet been diagnosed) and there is no need to be afraid of the consequences. The procedure does not cause any harm, but, on the contrary, the likelihood of developing cirrhosis of the liver is reduced.

Nine months of waiting, worry, childbirth are behind us - and a small screaming lump is born, which overnight becomes the most dear creature on the whole earth. It would be controversial to say that this is where all the main concerns end. No, they are just beginning!

And the first important question, which the happy parents have to decide while still in the hospital - to give their consent to the hepatitis B vaccination for their newborn or to refuse. No one has the right to force vaccination to be carried out by order. But every doctor is obliged to tell you whether it is necessary to get vaccinated and why it is so important.

We will take the liberty of telling you what the disease is hepatitis in principle, what vaccination against hepatitis gives to newborns, how vaccination against hepatitis is carried out different schemes, possible indications and contraindications for such vaccinations, risks of developing side effects and complications.

Hepatitis as it is

Before deciding whether your newborn should be vaccinated, it should be noted that it is not mandatory. However, knowledge about the very subject of conversation - that is, about the disease hepatitis and its varieties - will not hurt even in the general educational aspect.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and biliary system, which can be acute or chronic. It is caused by viruses, certain types of medications, alcoholic beverages (consumed excessively and frequently), as well as other factors that beset each of us in everyday life. The causative agent of hepatitis can remain in an active form for a long time in human biological fluids, even while outside the body.

• Hepatitis A (or Botkin's disease) is an acute inflammatory process in the liver of a viral nature. This type of pathology is recognized as the least dangerous, but only in case of timely and adequate treatment. It is successfully cured and almost never becomes chronic.
• Hepatitis B is a pathology of viral origin that causes, if not adequately treated, irreversible processes in the cells of the organ, provokes the death of hepatocytes, often becoming chronic. It is dangerous because in the long term the prognosis is not at all joyful - cirrhosis or oncology of the biliary system. In especially severe cases in childhood, it can lead to the death of a small patient.
• Hepatitis C is a “gentle killer.” That is why it is called for the asymptomatic course of the acute form (after infection, which occurs directly through biological fluids or sexual contact). There is no vaccine for this type of hepatitis.
• Hepatitis E is often detected in countries located in the tropical climate zone, with poor sanitation and poor quality water. The routes of infection are through feces, food and water. It is prone to self-healing, but sometimes it can be acute, although it responds well to treatment and does not become chronic. It is most dangerous for women expecting a baby in their final stages.

To do or not to do?

Parents are warned that they have the right to sign a waiver of vaccination, but are responsible for possible consequences will be entirely on their conscience. Vaccination against hepatitis is recommended by doctors for the following reasons:

• The infection is spreading very quickly and has already become an epidemic on a “universal scale.” Vaccination minimizes the risk of infection;
• hepatitis B, especially acquired in childhood, can become chronic. We have already mentioned the negative consequences in the long term;
• vaccination does not guarantee one hundred percent that the child will not get sick, but the illness will not be so pronounced and severe, and will not become chronic.

In our region, newborns are primarily vaccinated against hepatitis B. Class A virus also has serums; their administration is practiced in hot areas with poor quality water.

But there are also contraindications that must be taken into account. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the baby will receive benefits from the vaccine, and not significant harm to health, or even a threat to life. This aspect, at least when administering the first dose, lies entirely with the responsibility of the doctors.

Temporary bans include:

• for premature or low birth weight newborns (less than 2 kg), the dates of the first vaccination are postponed;
• the presence of viral or cold diseases at the moment when it is time for the next vaccination;
• increase, even slight, in body temperature, general weakness. A two-week period after illness of any nature.

In such cases, the first or subsequent vaccinations are postponed until complete recovery or the onset of a favorable time. Under no circumstances should a newborn be vaccinated (or in the future if the first one gave an acute reaction):

• if the mother has a history of allergies and yeast is an allergen (vaccines may contain this component due to the nature of production);
• acute allergic reaction of the baby to the first administration of the serum;
• intolerance to any serum components;
• the newborn has been diagnosed with mental disorders or pathologies of the development of the nervous system;
• congenital immunodeficiency.

If a newborn baby is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, then any vaccinations become contraindicated for him.

Hepatitis B vaccination in newborns is recommended to prevent infection. By refusing it, believing that the child cannot become infected, parents are putting the child at risk. The disease is dangerous; about 1 million people die from it every year. Before refusing to vaccinate your child, you need to know the consequences of such a decision.

Features of vaccination in newborns

The hepatitis B vaccine is not mandatory, so sometimes parents refuse to get it. However, in some situations you cannot do without it. Indications for vaccination of a newborn child are:

• the child living in a family where there is a patient with hepatitis;
• the birth of a child from a hepatitis-infected mother;
• lack of data on testing a pregnant woman for the presence of the virus;
• drug addiction of one of the parents.

Vaccination of children against hepatitis takes place in 3 stages, and if the disease is detected in a pregnant woman, the child will need to be vaccinated 4 times, using scheme No. 2. With each subsequent dose, the concentration of the drug increases.

Hepatitis vaccination

The newborn is vaccinated intramuscularly in the thigh. When administered subcutaneously, the drug is ineffective because it is released gradually. In addition, with this method of administration, inflammation and rashes are possible at the injection site, which do not go away for a long time.

Premature babies weighing less than 2 kg are not vaccinated. It is also contraindicated if signs of immunodeficiency are detected. It is not advisable to vaccinate a baby whose mother has been diagnosed with a yeast allergy, since there is a possibility that the child will inherit it.

Vaccination schedule for infants

The first vaccine is offered to a newborn in the maternity hospital. If the mother approves, it will be placed immediately after birth. If the baby has not received a vaccine in the first days of life, the time of vaccination is selected arbitrarily. After the initial dose is administered, one of the recommended regimens is used, strictly observing the timing of immunization.

Several schemes are used to vaccinate newborns against the hepatitis B virus:

• Standard scheme with intervals 0-1-6. The drug is given for the first time after birth, the second dose - after 1 month, the last dose - after six months. This schedule is most often used for vaccinating children.
• Quick scheme with deadlines 0-1-2-12. The vaccine is given immediately after birth, then 1 month later, 2 months later, and the last dose is administered after a year. This immunization technique is used for children who are at high risk of contracting hepatitis B. It is practiced when an illness is detected in the mother.
• Emergency scheme with intervals 0-7-21-12. The first dose is administered at birth, the second - a week later, the third - after 3 weeks, the fourth - after a year. This technique is used if the child, based on the results of a medical examination, is indicated for urgent surgery.

A rapid vaccination regimen is carried out when hepatitis is detected in the child’s mother

Sometimes parents violate the recommended hepatitis vaccination schedule. If the second vaccine is missed, when more than 5 months have passed since the previous one, the schedule is resumed. The same principle is followed when skipping the third dose, when the child needs to be vaccinated twice with an interval of 2 months. If a dose is missed, the vaccine should be given again, since the infant’s immunity after the injection is not able to protect for a long period.

The child must receive at least 3 injections. It is permissible to lengthen the interval between them, but it cannot be shortened, since immunity will be defective. The interval between the first and second immunization should be 1 month. If you follow the recommended vaccination schedule, the body will be protected from infection with the hepatitis virus for 22 years.

Possible adverse reactions

In general, hepatitis B vaccination is well tolerated by newborn children; complications are rarely recorded. The injection site may turn slightly red. This symptom goes away on its own a few days after immunization. No additional measures need to be taken.

Your child may be allergic to aluminum hydroxide or other components contained in the drug. Doctors note such a reaction to hepatitis vaccination in newborns in 20% of cases; it manifests itself in the form of rashes. The vaccine is produced using recombinant DNA obtained from yeast. Traces of these organisms remain in the vaccine; sensitivity to them may be increased in children.

After vaccination, the newborn may develop a fever within 8 hours. To eliminate this problem, it is allowed to give him an antipyretic drug recommended by a doctor. When the temperature is high, children should drink a lot of water because they become severely dehydrated. Medical attention is required if the reading exceeds 38.5 degrees.

A small lump may also be felt at the injection site, causing discomfort. In this case, the child cries when bending and straightening the arm, because he experiences severe pain in the muscles. This reaction disappears on its own 2 days after vaccination. The seal appears more often when the vaccine is administered incorrectly to a newborn, when it gets under the skin. As it is released active substance the severity of this reaction decreases. In this case, the effect of the drug decreases.

If, after the first hepatitis vaccination, the child experiences severe adverse reactions, the next dose of the drug is not given.

In 1% of patients after vaccination against hepatitis B, the following reactions are observed:

Weakness

• increased sweating;
• diarrhea;
• weakness.

The most severe consequence of the hepatitis B vaccine is anaphylactic shock, caused by hypersensitivity to yeast organisms.

The effect of hepatitis vaccine on the development of multiple sclerosis or other neurological disorders has not been established. Medical studies have not found a connection between them.

Complications are most severe when the vaccine is first administered. The body responds more easily to each subsequent dose. All side effects are observed for a short time and pass quickly.

How to avoid side effects

Side effects after vaccination of a newborn against hepatitis are rarely detected and often go away on their own. This vaccination is considered absolutely safe. The most common reaction is redness of the skin in the injection area.

If the vaccine is administered incorrectly, undesirable reactions intensify. Parents need to make sure that the nurse in the vaccination room administers the injection correctly. It is done in the thigh, since this muscle is best developed in newborns. If the drug gets subcutaneously, the baby will develop a lump that will become inflamed. Therefore, it is important that immunization is carried out by a specialist.

Hepatitis immunization is prohibited for children who have recently had respiratory illnesses. The vaccine can be administered only after complete recovery.

Mandatory conditions for vaccination are:

• lack of temperature;
• no allergies;
• absence of infections in the acute stage.

Meningitis

If a newborn child has had meningitis, the vaccine is given no earlier than 6 months after recovery.

The likelihood of side effects in children is reduced if there are no contraindications to vaccination.

Conclusion

The hepatitis B vaccine is well tolerated in children. As clinical studies have shown, the danger of vaccination is greatly exaggerated. It rarely causes side effects even in infants. To prevent the development of the disease, you need to adhere to a certain immunization algorithm developed by doctors. It is advisable not to miss the planned vaccination, otherwise if there is a prolonged delay, you will have to start vaccination again.

• Side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine
  • Who should be vaccinated against hepatitis B?
  • Types of vaccines
  • Contraindications to hepatitis B vaccination
  • Normal reactions after receiving a vaccine
  • Induration, redness
  • Fever
  • Side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine
  • What to do if side effects occur after hepatitis B vaccination?
• Hepatitis vaccine for adults side effects
  • Vaccination scheme
  • Possible negative reactions
  • How to minimize complications after vaccination?
• Hepatitis B vaccine
  • What is the hepatitis B vaccine?
  • Required vaccine for adults
  • Injection in the maternity hospital for newborns - reaction
  • Side effects and consequences
  • Where is the vaccine given?
  • Vaccination schedule for children and adults
  • How long does the vaccine last and how often do you vaccinate?
  • Pregnancy after vaccination against infection
• Hepatitis B vaccine for adults: side effects, regimen and contraindications
  • Is it possible to prevent the disease?
  • Features of the development of pathology
  • Recommendations for disease prevention
  • What is the danger of HBV?
  • The importance of vaccination
  • For civilians
  • For health workers
• Vaccination against hepatitis B
  • Importance of vaccination
  • Contraindications
  • Why are there side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine?
  • Possible consequences
  • Dangerous reactions
  • Temporary reactions
  • How to minimize the risks of complications?
  • What to do if any reactions occur?

What is the vaccine

Hepatitis vaccines are a sterile suspension containing the hepatitis virus, grown in a special nutrient medium and then killed with formaldehyde (a poison that affects cells).

Such viruses are grown in special laboratories. They contribute to the emergence of stable immunity to the disease. However, vaccines do not cause disease in humans. The drug is re-administered to enhance the immune response.

In some countries, the procedure for vaccination against hepatitis A or B is not included in the vaccination calendar, and you can refuse it. But doctors still recommend getting vaccinated, since recently the number of infected people has increased sharply.

The risk of getting an infection increases in the following cases:

• One of the family members is infected with the disease.
• We are planning a vacation in hot countries where the disease spreads quickly.
• The mother has a virus in her blood, and the infection occurred during pregnancy.
• The parents of the newborn use drugs.
• There is an outbreak of the disease in the locality where the family lives.

How is vaccination carried out?

There is no separate vaccination regimen against hepatitis A. Doctors recommend vaccinating a child against this disease every year, and revaccination after 6 to 18 months, according to the instructions for the drug.

Hepatitis B vaccination schedule:

• The standard regimen involves administering the vaccine at 1, 3, 6 months.
• If the mother is infected with hepatitis B, the primary vaccination is carried out immediately after the birth of the baby, then the vaccine is administered every month, six months and a year.
• If surgical intervention is necessary, in order for immunity to develop quickly, the drug is administered immediately after birth, then on the 7th and 21st days of life. Revaccination is carried out when the baby is one year old.

The interval between the first and second vaccination can be increased by 4 months. When the vaccine is administered for the third time, this period ranges from 4 to 18 months. If you increase it, then immunity is not developed.

The vaccine is injected into the muscle on the outside of the thigh. At the same time, it completely enters the blood, allowing the body to provide complete immune protection. Children over three years of age and adults receive injections into the shoulder.

When administering the drug subcutaneously, the risk of side effects increases, such as redness and hardening at the injection site.

Characteristics of vaccine tolerance

The reaction to the hepatitis vaccine can vary. Often it is a variant of the norm, but sometimes requires special medical intervention. In most cases, the vaccine is well tolerated and does not cause any side effects.

Reaction to vaccination in adults

Adults tolerate vaccination more easily than children. In very rare cases they experience:

• Seal at the injection site.
• Weakness and malaise.
• Abdominal pain.
• Pain in the joint area.
• Nausea and upset stool.
• Hives.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Presyncope.
• Increased body temperature.

How to avoid a negative reaction to a vaccine

In order for vaccination activities to take place without consequences, you must adhere to the following rules:

• In order to avoid allergic reactions, some doctors recommend giving the baby antihistamines three days before vaccination.
• Before visiting the hospital, you need to explain to your child what vaccination is and its necessity. Talk about short-term pain.
• Collect all the information about the vaccine that will be administered, clarify the contraindications and ask the doctor all your questions.
• Before vaccination, a doctor must conduct an examination. If there are symptoms of colds, it is not recommended to administer the drug, as the risk of negative reactions increases.
• Parents should control themselves, not worry and under no circumstances yell at the child, as he is sensitive to their condition.
• During vaccination, it is necessary to maintain eye contact with children. You need to speak to them in a soft, calm voice.
• After vaccination, parents are advised to stay with their child for some time under the supervision of a doctor. Although anaphylactic reactions are rare, if they occur, your baby will need medical help.

What to do if there is a negative reaction

If the temperature has risen above 38.5 degrees, the baby does not feel well and is capricious, it is necessary to give him an antipyretic drug based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.

They also use mechanical cooling methods, wipe the baby with a towel moistened warm water(no added alcohol or vinegar). If the temperature remains high on the fourth day after vaccination, you should consult a doctor.

If your child has seizures or begins to lose consciousness while having a fever, you should seek medical help immediately.

If swelling (up to 5 cm) or painful compaction (up to 2 cm) appears at the injection site, there is no need to use medicinal ointments or lotions. It is not recommended to get the affected area wet, as this may worsen the reaction. If the size of the lump exceeds the norm, or it does not disappear on its own within a week, you should consult a doctor. This may indicate that the drug was administered incorrectly or an infection has occurred. Surgery may be needed.

If itching, runny nose or hives appear, which indicate an allergic reaction, it is necessary to give the baby an antihistamine (Fenistil, Suprastin, Diazolin). It should be taken according to the instructions and recommendations of the pediatrician.

If side effects from the digestive system appear for a long time and cause discomfort in the baby, you can use sorbents (Smecta, Activated carbon, Enterosgel). If the symptoms do not disappear but intensify, you should consult a doctor.

If, as a result of vaccination against hepatitis A or B, side effects from the nervous system occur (impaired muscle tone, convulsions), you should consult a neurologist and epileptologist.

Consequences

The mechanism of action of the vaccine has been sufficiently studied, but in rare cases, complications after vaccination against hepatitis are as follows:

• The development of a severe complication - Quincke's edema (an acute allergic reaction caused by repeated contact with an allergen).
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
• Arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
• Glomerulonephritis (kidney disease, characterized by inflammation of the kidney glomeruli).
• Myalgia (muscle pain resulting from increased tone).
• Neuropathy (inflammatory damage to the nerves).
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases.

In what cases can complications arise?

Various factors influence the occurrence of complications:

• State of the immune system. If a person has congenital or chronic diseases that periodically worsen, the risk of complications increases.
• Violation of vaccine storage and transportation conditions. The drugs should be stored at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees in a special refrigerator. Vaccines are transported in special containers. When drugs are overheated or frozen, they lose their properties, which can provoke the development of all sorts of complications.
• Failure to comply with the rules and techniques for administering the vaccine. In this case, the risk of developing a local reaction increases.

• The presence of hypersensitivity to vaccine components.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Hydrocephalus.
• Epilepsy.
• Cerebral palsy.
• Oncological diseases.
• Severe heart and vascular diseases.
• If at the time of vaccination he has an acute infectious disease.
• During exacerbation of chronic diseases.
• If the child was born premature and weighs less than 2 kilograms.
• In the event that the reaction to the first vaccination was too strong.

Do not be afraid of vaccination, as it helps protect against deadly diseases.

What is the probability of death from this disease?

With virus A, deaths are very rare and occur only with lightning-fast development of the process. In this case, the patient develops acute inflammation of the liver cells, followed by necrosis and the development of liver failure.

In children under one year of age, the infection is very severe. The disease is accompanied by complications and causes negative consequences.

Hepatitis B is more dangerous because it can cause liver cirrhosis or cancer. In almost 90% of children infected with this infection, the disease becomes chronic. In addition, it often causes complications in the form of myocarditis, glomerulonephritis or arthralgia. The hepatitis B vaccine and its side effects are not as dangerous as the disease itself.

Weakness and dizziness

General malaise

Viral hepatitis is one of the most unpredictable infectious diseases. The disease first affects the liver, and then the skin, blood vessels, other digestive organs and the nervous system are involved in the painful process. Because of the high likelihood of encountering the virus, babies are vaccinated in the first days of their lives. Several years after revaccination, immunity against the hepatitis B virus weakens, so everyone can encounter it again.

What kind of disease is hepatitis B and under what conditions does it affect a person? Are hepatitis B vaccinations given to adults and in what cases? Is it possible to feel safe if this disease affects loved ones?

What kind of disease is hepatitis B?

About 5% of the world's population suffers from viral hepatitis B. But in some countries this figure needs to be multiplied by 4. The main source of hepatitis B infection are sick people and virus carriers. For infection, it is enough for only 5 to 10 ml of infected blood to come into contact with the wound. The main routes of infection with hepatitis B:

• sexual - with unprotected sexual intercourse;
• infection occurs through vascular damage: cuts, abrasions, cracks on the lips, if there is bleeding gums;
• parenteral route, that is, through medical manipulations or injections: with blood transfusions, injections with one non-sterile syringe, like drug addicts;
• The vertical route of transmission of hepatitis B is from mother to child at birth.

How does hepatitis B manifest?

1. A person is worried about severe intoxication: lack of sleep, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
2. There is a feeling of pain in the liver and heaviness in the epigastric region.
3. Yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera.
4. Severe itching of the skin.
5. Damage to the nervous system: irritability or euphoria, headaches, drowsiness.
6. Later, blood pressure begins to decrease, and the pulse becomes rare.

This condition may last for several months. If you're lucky, everything ends in recovery. Otherwise, dangerous complications arise:

• bleeding;
• acute liver failure;
• damage to the bile ducts, addition of additional infections.

Should adults be vaccinated against hepatitis B? - yes, since hepatitis B is a chronic disease, once infected, a person will never get rid of it. At the same time, the susceptibility of people around to the virus is high, and the symptoms of hepatitis go away slowly. Vaccination against hepatitis B for adults is necessary to avoid contracting this dangerous disease. This is the only way to prevent the disease.

Indications for vaccination

First of all, children are vaccinated immediately after birth, except for those who have contraindications. After revaccination (at 6 or 12 months), immunity is unstable and persists for five, maximum six years.

Adults are vaccinated depending on the indications. Where can adults get vaccinated against hepatitis B? Vaccination is carried out in a clinic at the place of residence or registration or at work (if employed in a specialized clinic, hospital, outpatient clinic). If desired, the vaccine can be administered in a private clinic for a fee. In exceptional cases, critically ill patients undergoing hemodialysis or those receiving blood transfusions may be vaccinated in hospital if the vaccine is available.

Who is being vaccinated? - all adults at risk.

1. People whose family has a virus carrier or a sick person.
2. Medical students and all healthcare workers.
3. People with severe chronic diseases who regularly receive blood transfusions.
4. Previously unvaccinated people who have not had viral hepatitis B.
5. Adults who have had contact with virus-contaminated material.
6. People whose work involves the production of blood products.
7. Preoperative patients if they have not been vaccinated before.
8. Vaccination of oncohematological patients.

Hepatitis B vaccination schedule

Hepatitis B vaccination schedules for adults may vary depending on the situation and the type of drug.

1. One of the schemes is to give the first vaccination, then a month later another one, and then after another 5 months.
2. Emergency vaccination occurs when a person travels abroad. It is carried out on the first day, on the seventh and twenty-first days. Revaccination of hepatitis B in adults is prescribed after 12 months.
3. The following scheme is used in patients undergoing hemodialysis (blood purification). According to this schedule, an adult is vaccinated four times between procedures in a 0-1-2-12 month schedule.

Where do adults get the hepatitis B vaccine? - intramuscularly, into the deltoid muscle. In rare cases, when a person has a disease with a blood clotting disorder, the drug can be administered subcutaneously.

To avoid false reactions to the vaccine, check whether it was stored correctly.

1. There should be no foreign impurities in the bottle with the drug after shaking.
2. The vaccine cannot be frozen; optimal storage conditions are 2–8 ºC, otherwise it will lose its properties. That is, the nurse must get it not from the freezer, but from the refrigerator.
3. Check expiration dates.

Types of hepatitis B vaccines

There are both individual vaccines against viral hepatitis B and complex ones that additionally contain antibodies against other diseases. The latter are more often used in childhood.

What drugs can be administered to adults?

1. "Engerix-B" (Belgium).
2. "HB-Vaxll" (USA).
3. The vaccine against hepatitis B is recombinant.
4. Hepatitis B recombinant yeast vaccine.
5. "Sci-B-Vac", which is produced in Israel.
6. "Eberbiovak HB" is a joint Russian-Cuban vaccine.
7. "Euvax-B".
8. "Shanvak-B" (India).
9. "Biovac-B".

How often do adults get the hepatitis B vaccine? You can get vaccinated for the first time if there are indications for it, and then monitor the amount of antibodies to the virus in the blood. If there is a sharp decrease in them, the vaccination can be repeated. Health care workers should be immunized regularly, at least once every five years.

Contraindications for adults

Contraindications to hepatitis B vaccination for adults are:

1. Pregnancy and lactation period.
2. Reaction to previous vaccine administration.
3. Intolerance to one of the components of the drug.
4. Acute infectious diseases.
5. Exacerbation of chronic diseases. Vaccination is recommended during the period of normalization of the condition.

Reactions to vaccination and complications

Adults tolerate hepatitis B vaccination well, but due to the individual characteristics of the body, the following reactions may occur:

• soreness and inflammation at the site of vaccine administration;
• tissue compaction, scar formation;
• the general reaction may manifest itself as fever, weakness, and malaise.

What complications can occur in adults after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine?

1. Pain in the joints, stomach or muscle area.
2. Nausea, vomiting, loose stool, tests may show an increase in liver parameters.
3. General and local allergic reactions: itching of the skin, the appearance of a rash in the form of urticaria. In severe situations, it is possible to develop angioedema or anaphylactic shock.
4. Isolated cases of nervous system reactions have been reported: convulsions, neuritis (inflammation of peripheral nerves), meningitis, motor muscle paralysis.
5. Sometimes there is an increase in lymph nodes, and in a general blood test the number of platelets decreases.
6. Fainting and a temporary feeling of shortness of breath are possible.

If the symptoms are not pronounced, bother you for several hours and go away on their own, don’t worry. In case of long-term persistent complaints, it is necessary to consult a doctor and notify the health workers who administered the hepatitis B vaccination about the occurrence of a reaction to the vaccine. How to avoid such situations? It is important to learn how to behave correctly before and after vaccination.

Rules of conduct before and after vaccination

1. Vaccinations must be planned in advance. The need for vaccination is announced several days in advance. To ensure minimal side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine in an adult, it is better to get it before the upcoming weekend. It is advisable to stay at home during this difficult period for the body, when the immune system is under severe strain.
2. After vaccination, do not plan an active holiday with friends or family, try not to visit places with big amount people, and stock up on food for the weekend in advance.
3. Be sure to undergo the required examination by a doctor before immunization, and 30 minutes after vaccination, remain under the supervision of the health care worker who administered the vaccine.
4. Do not wet the injection site for at least 24 hours.
5. Together with your doctor, you need to choose the optimal schedule for vaccination against hepatitis B for adults and discuss the possibility of using symptomatic medications in case of complications.

Do adults need a hepatitis B vaccine? Yes, if he is at risk and may encounter patients with hepatitis B. A mild course of the disease will not save a person from possible complications. It is much easier to deal with a reaction to a vaccine than to spend months treating viral hepatitis in case of infection.

There were times when viral hepatitis turned out to be as widespread a disaster as plague, cholera, and smallpox. Today, vaccination reliably protects against severe liver damage. Vaccination against hepatitis B is mandatory in our country for newborns. However, many parents are worried about complications and reactions to the vaccine. Is she really that dangerous?

A child's normal reaction to a hepatitis vaccine

There are no completely safe pharmaceuticals. The body responds to any vaccine with an individual reaction. This is fine. Local reactions may occur especially often: redness, itching, thickening of the muscles at the site of vaccination, slight pain when touched. Approximately 10 out of 100 children develop these symptoms after receiving both live and non-live vaccines. However, after a few days, not a trace remains of them.

The following are also considered normal post-vaccination reactions:

slight increase in temperature; increased sweating; mild headache; temporary loss of appetite; restless sleep; diarrhea; feeling of weakness; a transient state of malaise.

In general, the vast majority of newborns, children and adults tolerate hepatitis B vaccination easily. After about a month, immunity is formed, and the protective effect of the drug begins. Very often, vaccination occurs completely without any symptoms. However, if nausea leading to vomiting, fever, and convulsions appear, you should know: such acute symptoms have nothing to do with the vaccine. Sometimes vaccination coincides with the onset of a disease, and you need to look for a true diagnosis.

Induration and redness at injection sites

This reaction to a hepatitis vaccine may occur due to the body’s high sensitivity to aluminum hydroxide, which is included in many vaccines. It should be taken as normal if the swelling and hardening of the injected muscles is no more than 7-8 cm. There is no need to make any compresses or treat this area with ointments. The vaccine will gradually pass into the blood, and the lump will soon resolve on its own.

Temperature after hepatitis vaccination

This side effect occurs in only one in 15 vaccinated people. A similar reaction to hepatitis vaccination occurs more often in newborns and infants, since in young children the mechanism of thermoregulation is still very imperfect. Acceptable post-vaccination reactions can be:

weak - when the temperature rises to 37.5 degrees; moderate degree - if the thermometer readings do not exceed 38.5 degrees, and signs of intoxication are moderate; strong – with body heat above 38.5 degrees, significant symptoms of intoxication.

As a rule, the temperature rises 6-7 hours after the injection - this is a sign of an active response of the immune system to foreign viral components of the vaccine. Often, the rise in temperature is further intensified under the influence of external factors: stuffy or, conversely, cold air, a stressful state. It returns to normal on its own within 2-3 days. Antipyretics should be used only at temperatures above 38.5 degrees.

Consequences of hepatitis vaccination in adults

muscle pain; severe allergies, anaphylactic shock; acute liver failure.

Since these manifestations are extremely rare, their potential should not be a reason to refuse vaccination. In the absence of vaccination, the risk of infection is infectious disease, like hepatitis, is much more dangerous. The disease quickly takes on a chronic form, which is then extremely difficult to cure completely. Viral hepatitis is threatening with complications incompatible with life: cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Weakness and dizziness

Occasionally, such symptoms can also be a reaction to the hepatitis vaccine. In this case, you should relieve the body of everyday stress and give it a rest. It is important to have adequate sleep. It is useful to strengthen the nervous system with vitamin and mineral preparations. If you cannot eliminate irritating factors, you need to try to change your attitude towards them. The effective drug Betaserc helps get rid of dizziness.

General malaise

First of all, such a reaction to the vaccine should not be taken in panic. Often, impressionable people immediately begin to think that something terrible is happening to them. You need to calm down and control your emotions, avoid conflict situations. Moreover, very serious illnesses do not make themselves felt by mere malaise. Strengthening the immune system helps to get out of this condition faster. It is not necessary to do this with medications:

It is worth remembering feasible morning exercises and water procedures. Lemons with honey, fish oil, rosehip infusion, linden tea are useful.

Dangerous complications after hepatitis B vaccination

Such reactions of the body do not threaten a healthy person. However, some conditions and diseases can sometimes provoke the development of severe complications. This:

an acute allergic reaction to any vaccination that has occurred previously; predisposition to seizures, more common in newborns and children under 3 years of age; chemotherapy and radiation oncology therapy; immunodeficiency diseases, AIDS.

Dangerous reactions to vaccination include:

Allergic pathologies: urticaria, erythema, dermatitis; Quincke's edema; myocarditis; serum sickness; arthritis; glomerulonephritis; anaphylactic shock. Myalgia (severe pain in muscles, joints). Peripheral neuropathy (increased tactile sensitivity or its loss, numbness of the extremities, paralysis of the optic or facial nerves, etc.).

Such body reactions occur in approximately one out of 200 thousand vaccinated people. There are sometimes claims that receiving the hepatitis B vaccine increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. According to a WHO study conducted in 50 countries, it has been proven that such a relationship does not exist. The hepatitis vaccine has no effect on the neurological abnormalities present in vaccinated people.

How to assess the intensity of the reaction to the hepatitis vaccine

It is important to distinguish completely acceptable post-vaccination reactions from side effects. Parents often mistakenly confuse them. What is the main difference between them? If you get vaccinated taking into account contraindications, the person’s health status, and compliance with the rules of injection, this or that reaction to it will go away in a matter of days on its own, without the help of a doctor.

The duration and intensity of post-vaccination phenomena depend on two main components:

composition and quality of the drug; individual characteristics of the human body.

Why do doctors warn that you should not get the injection site wet for 3 days after vaccination? Water may make the condition worse. When assessing how intense the reaction to a vaccine is, all symptoms should be taken into account as a whole. The right indicator to guide you is body temperature. A slight reaction - the thermometer will not show above 37.5 degrees. If the temperature is more than 38.5 degrees, this is a severe degree, and medical assistance is necessary.

Indications for hepatitis vaccination

Hepatitis B vaccination is a nationwide program. All newborns and people at risk are susceptible to it. The main indications for hepatitis B vaccination are to reduce the risk of infection and transmission of the virus from person to person.

In childhood, children often become infected through:

breast milk from an infected mother; contact with the blood, saliva, tears, or urine of an infected family member; medical manipulations with violation of the integrity of the skin; blood transfusions.

However, the following groups of children are at particular risk of infection:

living in areas with a high level of infection; living in families with chronic hepatitis; living in child care institutions; receiving hemodialysis; children receiving certain blood products.

Contraindications for hepatitis vaccination

Because most children are not at high risk of developing hepatitis B infection and the duration of immunity from vaccination is unknown, some parents have questions medical workers about the need and effectiveness of vaccinating children against hepatitis B. Some of them also continue to question the safety of the vaccine.

You should be aware that there are certain contraindications for hepatitis B vaccination. Children should not be vaccinated if they are allergic to baker's yeast or thimerosal. Also important is intolerance to individual components included in the vaccine. A 2003 study found the vaccine was safe and effective for children with asthma, even those using inhalers for hormone therapy.

Temporary contraindications against hepatitis B vaccination are: bad feeling baby, elevated body temperature, loose stools or vomiting, any manifestations of colds. After all symptoms have stopped, vaccination can be done 14 days later. A general blood and urine test is done first.

Side effects and complications after hepatitis B vaccination

Although most children do not experience any side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine, the most common symptoms of this condition are:

fatigue or irritability in 20 percent of children; soreness at the injection site, lasting one to two days, in about one in eleven children and adolescents; mild to moderate fever in one of 14 vaccinations.

Other, less common complications after hepatitis B vaccine include:

hyperemia, inflammation, swelling, pain or itching at the injection site; severe fatigue or weakness; dizziness and headache; temperature 37.7 °C or higher.

Other rare reactions to the vaccine include:

a general feeling of discomfort or muscle soreness; joint pain; skin rash or welts that may occur days or weeks after receiving the vaccine; blurred vision or other changes in visual sensations; muscle weakness or numbness and tingling in the arms and legs; back pain and stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulder area; diarrhea or abdominal cramps; nausea or vomiting; increased sweating; sore throat or runny nose; severe skin itching; appetite decreases or disappears; sudden redness of the skin; swelling of the glands and lymph nodes in the armpit or neck; insomnia or drowsiness.

Although allergic reactions are rare, if they occur, immediate attention is needed. health care. A first aid kit for anaphylactic shock should be present in the vaccination room. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

redness of the skin, especially around the ears; swelling of the eyes, face, or nasal mucosa; itching, especially of the hands and feet; sudden and severe tiredness or weakness; difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Preparing a child for hepatitis vaccination

Most children are afraid of injections, however, there are simple methods to ease a child's fear. Psychological preparation of the child for hepatitis vaccination is necessary. Before visiting the vaccination office, parents should take the following steps:

Tell your children what an injection is and how it feels. Explain to your child that the unpleasant sensations are short-term. Explain to children that the injection will help them avoid becoming sick. Bring your child's favorite toy or blanket. Never threaten children by telling them they will get a shot. Read the information about the vaccine and ask your doctor questions. During vaccination, parents should do the following: Hold the child. Maintain eye contact with your child and smile. Speak softly and soothingly to your child. Try to distract your child by showing him drawings or objects that are interesting to him. Sing songs or tell your child an entertaining story. Teach your child to focus on something other than the injection. Help your child take a deep breath. Let your child cry. Keep calm.

How to hold your child during an injection

You should know that for safety, a clear fixation of the baby’s body during the injection is necessary. A sudden movement by the child may cause the needle to break. Parents can choose an appropriate method to hold the child during the injection. These techniques allow parents to control and immobilize the child's arm while the nurse administers the injection. For infants and toddlers, the following may be effective:

The child sits on the parents' lap. The child's hands are behind the parents' back, held under the parent's arms. The child's legs are located between the parent's thighs and are fixed with the other hand of the parents.

With older children, the following positions may be effective:

The child sits on the parent's lap or stands in front of the seated parent. The parent hugs the child. The child's legs are between the parents' legs.

What to do after hepatitis vaccination

After the injection, parents should do the following:

Hold and cuddle your baby or breastfeed your baby. Speak in a calming and encouraging manner. Praise the baby. Ask your doctor for information about possible side effects. Use a cool compress or wet washcloth to reduce pain or swelling at the injection site. Check your child for rash over the next few days.

In addition, parents should remember the following:

The child will lose appetite within the first 24 hours after vaccination. The child should drink plenty of fluids. The doctor may prescribe non-aspirin pain relievers for your child.

Home » Hepatitis » Complications after hepatitis B vaccination

Pros and cons

Today, vaccination against hepatitis B for children, like everyone else, is not mandatory, so parents doubt whether it is needed at all. Before signing the waiver, they are required to weigh the pros and cons and accept the only correct solution. There are a number of reasons why all doctors advise mandatory vaccination of children from the very beginning. early age from hepatitis B:

the spread of infection has recently acquired the character of an epidemic, so the risk of infection is very high, and it can only be reduced through vaccination; hepatitis B can become chronic, that is, it can give long-term, very severe complications in the form of cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, which leads to disability and death in childhood; a child infected with hepatitis becomes chronic; If you get vaccinated against hepatitis B, the chance of becoming infected still exists, but it is very low; Even if a vaccinated child is infected, the disease will be mild, and recovery will occur much faster and without any consequences for the baby’s health.

Many parents mistakenly believe that their children do not need a vaccine against hepatitis B, since they simply have no place to get infected: they are brought up in a prosperous family and do not use drugs. This is a fatal misconception.

Children may come into contact with someone else's blood, which may be a carrier of a dangerous virus, in a clinic, kindergarten, or on the street: a nurse may forget to put on new gloves when taking a blood test; a child may fight, hit himself, or someone might bite him; on the street, a child can pick up a used syringe and many other strange objects. No one is safe from infection.

So parents should understand that vaccination against viral hepatitis B is very useful and is necessary for all children from birth. It is not for nothing that she is listed as one of the first on the vaccination calendar.

Timing, schedules, vaccination schedules

Since hepatitis B is a dangerous and quite serious disease, there is not one vaccination regimen, but three. Doctors came to these graphs after a catastrophic increase in the number of infected:

Standard: 0 - 1 - 6 (the first hepatitis vaccination for newborns is given in the first days of life, the second - after 1 month, the next - after six months). This is the most effective childhood vaccination schedule. Quick scheme: 0 - 1 - 2 - 12 (the first - in the maternity hospital, the second vaccination against hepatitis for newborns - after 1 month, the next - after 2 months, the fourth - a year later). With this scheme, immunity is developed instantly, so this schedule is used for children who have a high risk of infection with hepatitis B. Emergency vaccination: 0 - 7 - 21 - 12 (first vaccination at birth, second - a week later, third vaccination against hepatitis B - after 21 days, the fourth - after a year). This scheme is also used to quickly develop immunity in a small organism - most often before an urgent operation.

If the hepatitis vaccination in the maternity hospital was not given for some reason, the timing of the first injection is chosen by the doctor and parents arbitrarily, after which it is still necessary to follow one of the above schemes. If the 2nd vaccination was missed and more than 5 months have passed since then, the schedule starts again. If the 3rd injection is missed, schedule 0 - 2 is performed.

After a single vaccination, immunity is formed only for a short period of time. To form long-term immunity, a hepatitis vaccination schedule for newborns is required, consisting of 3 injections. In this case, the interval between injections can be lengthened, but not shortened: this can lead to the formation of defective immunity in children.

As for how long the vaccine lasts: if all the schedules were followed exactly, you don’t have to worry for 22 years: this is the period for which protection against hepatitis B extends. It is especially important to vaccinate those children who are at risk.

Hepatitis A (other names - jaundice, Botkin's disease) is an acute infectious disease of the liver, the occurrence of which is provoked by a certain virus. It is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and through direct contact with a sick person. About 10 million people become infected every year.

The disease is not dangerous, but in the absence of timely medical assistance, severe liver failure can develop, which can lead to coma and death. In some cases, serious damage to the biliary tract is observed. Doctors are unanimous in their opinion that disease prevention lies in timely vaccination. Therefore, vaccination against hepatitis A today is a guaranteed and practically the only method of protection against this disease, although it is not mandatory. Doctors recommend giving it to children in certain cases when there is an immediate threat of infection.

Despite the fact that vaccination against hepatitis A for children in many countries is not included in the compulsory vaccination calendar, all doctors recommend it. It is especially desirable in certain cases when the child has a high risk of infection, namely:

• before a holiday at sea, traveling to hot countries (here the spread of infection is very widespread, so the chance of getting infected is high): vaccination is carried out 2 weeks before the trip so that the small body has time to develop immunity;
• if there is a person in the baby’s social circle who suffers from hepatitis A: the vaccination is done within 10 days from the moment of contact with the carrier of the dangerous virus;
• when diagnosing diseases such as hemophilia or serious liver pathology.

Before vaccination, the blood is examined for the presence of antibodies. If they are present, this means that the child has either already been vaccinated before or has had this disease. In this case, he will not be able to become infected: it is impossible to get hepatitis A twice, since immunity against this infection is developed in the body for life. So the absence of antibodies in the blood is a direct indication for vaccination.

As for age, a child is vaccinated against hepatitis A starting from the age of 1 year. It is administered intramuscularly - most often into the baby's shoulder. Vaccine alone is usually not enough to provide strong, long-lasting immunity against infection. Therefore, after 6–18 months, doctors recommend another injection. Having decided to vaccinate, parents should know which reaction of the little body to this vaccination will be the norm, according to medical data, and which will indicate disorders and failures in the baby’s health.

Reaction

The interest of parents who, before vaccination, want to know how the hepatitis A vaccine is tolerated by their children is understandable, in order to be prepared for surprises and to be aware of how to react to this or that change in the baby’s condition. Most often, no reaction is observed to imported drugs (for example, the Havrix vaccine), while domestic drugs (GEP-A-in-VAKV, etc.) can cause side effects such as:

• nausea, vomiting;
• headache;
• slight malaise;
• loss of appetite;
• if there is an allergic reaction (itching or hives), you can give your baby an antihistamine (but only with the doctor’s permission);
• irritability, moodiness, restlessness;
• weakness and muscle pain;
• local reaction at the injection site: redness, swelling, itching, thickening, mild pain, numbness (these symptoms should not frighten or mislead parents: the injection site cannot be lubricated with anything or covered with a band-aid, but there is no need to be afraid of getting it wet);
• increase in temperature: in this case, it is allowed to give the child an antipyretic if the thermometer shows above 38°C for several hours.

All these side effects Vaccinations against hepatitis A are considered normal by doctors and do not require medical intervention. They do not affect the child’s health in any way and pass very quickly: within a week maximum. Having noticed these changes in their baby after vaccination, parents should not panic: they need to be patient and wait it out. Within a week after the injection, these symptoms will disappear, and the baby will be happy and healthy as before.

If, however, some of the side effects last too long or are very pronounced, which frightens parents, it is better to talk about this at the first appointment with the pediatrician. After the examination, the doctor will dispel doubts and give useful recommendations. But most children still do not respond at all to the hepatitis A vaccine. Stories about the terrible consequences that happen when an anti-hepatitis drug is introduced into a child’s body are often too exaggerated. Complications are possible extremely rarely and only if contraindications are not observed.

Contraindications

Before vaccinating a child against hepatitis A, the doctor conducts an examination to determine the presence of antibodies against this infection in the baby’s blood and to identify contraindications for vaccination. It cannot be carried out in the following cases:

• increased sensitivity (individual intolerance) to the components of the administered drug;
• acute period of all diseases: at the time of vaccination the baby must be absolutely healthy, and this also applies to chronic pathologies;
• bronchial asthma.

All these contraindications must be observed when vaccinating against hepatitis A, since otherwise you may encounter the development of pathologies that will become a serious violation of children's health in the future. Since an examination is carried out before vaccination, the risk of complications is minimal, and yet this very fact becomes the reason why parents refuse to vaccinate their baby against this disease.

Complications

Among the complications after vaccinations against hepatitis A are:

• Quincke's edema in case of individual intolerance to the components of the anti-hepatitis A drug administered to the child: this can lead to death in the absence of timely assistance;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases, slowdown in the healing process, deterioration of general condition;
• liver failure;
• lesions of the nervous system: neuritis, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis;
• irregularities in work of cardio-vascular system: vasculitis, low blood pressure;
• failure in the functioning of other organs: lymphadenopathy, erythema;
• coma;
• death.

Despite the seriousness of all the above complications after vaccination against hepatitis A, parents should not be afraid of them and refuse necessary and useful vaccination because of this. If your child is at risk, he must be vaccinated so that an unwanted infection will bypass the small, not yet formed organism. The consequences of the disease for the baby’s health develop much more often than complications after vaccination.

However, hepatitis A in a child’s body is dangerous not only for this. Often the child suffers a mild infection, asymptomatic, but in the meantime is a carrier of a dangerous virus. Any adult who comes into contact with him can become infected from him at this moment. In an already formed body, the disease occurs in a much more severe form, which poses a potential danger, including death. Therefore, it is much more practical to vaccinate your baby from infancy and forget about hepatitis A forever.

Botkin's disease, or hepatitis A, - infection, which can only be avoided through immunization. Despite the fact that in our country it is not necessary to be vaccinated against jaundice, pediatricians give a lot of reasons in favor of vaccination. Immunization is contraindicated only for a few categories of children, including children with acute infectious diseases, inflammatory processes and malignant neoplasms.

Our country practices the use of English, French, American and domestic vaccines. The first two are allowed from the 1st year of life, the third - from the age of two. Revaccination is carried out 6-12 months after the administration of the first vaccine.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is not included in the mandatory list, but any qualified health worker will advise vaccination and protect the child from acute infectious liver disease

Should my child be vaccinated against hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a disease that most often affects children. In our country, vaccination against hepatitis A is not mandatory, so many parents refuse it, citing the mild course of the disease in the child’s body. The disease goes away in a few weeks and does not cause complications with timely treatment.

Some parents are confident that practicing good hygiene can help protect their baby from infection. In this case, it should be recalled that hepatitis A is an infectious disease that can be contracted in any children's group if there is at least one sick person in it. The viral infection persists in a residential area for 30 days.

Hepatitis A is also dangerous because it is asymptomatic. Today, the risk of a hepatitis A outbreak is quite high due to a decrease in the number of vaccinated patients. Parents should also remember that liver cells are restored no earlier than six months later. Throughout this period, the baby will be at risk of developing other diseases due to weakened immunity.

The only one effective method To protect your child from developing hepatitis A is vaccination. Some mothers are worried about what reaction the hepatitis A vaccine may cause in the body. The vaccine from an imported manufacturer, for example, Havrix, is absolutely safe. Domestic drugs, such as GEP-A-in-VAK, can cause side effects that are considered normal and stop after a few days.

Indications and contraindications

Despite the fact that vaccination against hepatitis A for children is not mandatory, doctors advise it to be given to all children who have no contraindications, especially to several categories of patients who are at increased risk of serious consequences from hepatitis A. These include:

• Children who are surrounded by someone with hepatitis A. In this case, the vaccination must be done within the first 10 days after contact with him.
• Children with chronic liver disorders, liver failure and hemophilia. Vaccination against hepatitis A is considered essential for a child with such diseases, since the infection can significantly worsen the condition of his liver and gallbladder. Parents must inform the hematologist about their decision before vaccination.
• Children who are going on holiday abroad. In some foreign countries, this infection is very common, so your child should be vaccinated four weeks before travel.
• Children who are sent to kindergarten or school. The jaundice vaccination should also be done 4 weeks before the start of classes.
• Children living in an unfavorable epidemic region.

It is recommended that all children be vaccinated against hepatitis A before entering school. kindergarten or school

Despite the fact that all modern vaccines undergo thorough testing, most of them, including the hepatitis A vaccine, still have their contraindications. Patients who are prohibited from vaccination against jaundice include:

• children predisposed to allergic reactions;
• children in whose bodies there is an acute inflammatory process;
• young children with chronic diseases;
• children who have been diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm.

What drugs are used?

In pediatrics today they practice the use of two different types vaccines – active and passive. Passive immunization involves the use of ready-made antibodies from a person who has had hepatitis A. Vaccination with such a vaccine allows you to achieve quick results and is indicated in the following cases:

• when the baby comes into contact with a sick child;
• when urgently leaving for the sea in hot countries.

Unlike an active vaccine, a passive one has a relatively short duration of action - only 1-4 months. It can be administered no more than 4 times in a lifetime.

All preparations for active vaccination of children against hepatitis A contain a killed virus - the causative agent of the disease. It helps protect the child from infection by 90-100%. The drugs used in our country include:

1. Havrix. The vaccine from an English manufacturer is suitable for vaccinating children against hepatitis A from the age of one. Antibodies are developed after a month in 99% of vaccinated patients.
2. Avaxim. The French drug can also be administered from 12 months. The vaccine's effectiveness rate is 100% one month after vaccination.
3. Waqta. The American-made vaccine can be used from 2 years of age. At the end of the immunization course, only 1-2% of patients are at risk of infection.
4. GEP-A-IN-VAK. The domestic drug is approved for use from 3 years of age. The effectiveness rate is 90% among children.

Vaccination scheme and schedule

The administration scheme for imported vaccines against hepatitis A involves double vaccination. According to the schedule, the first vaccination should be given to a child aged 12-18 months. In this case, immunity is formed on the 7-14th day and is developed for 1.5 years. Revaccination should be carried out after 6 months, provided there are no complications or allergic reactions. It provides immunity to the disease for 20 years.

When using domestic GEP-A-in-VAK, the vaccination scheme changes somewhat. The first injection of the drug is carried out at 3 years of age, the next one a month later, and the third injection is given six months after the second vaccination.

If a child has not been vaccinated at the required age, it must be done a month before the child goes to kindergarten or school. Emergency immunization is carried out during the first ten days, subject to interaction with a patient with jaundice.

The drug is injected intramuscularly into the muscles of the thigh or shoulder. At concomitant diseases lymphatic system, the doctor allows subcutaneous administration. Vaccination can be combined with other vaccinations, with the exception of BCG.

Infants are given an injection in the thigh, older children - in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder.

Possible side effects

The hepatitis A vaccine, like any other, has its side effects, which should subside within a few days. Despite these complications, parents do not need to refuse useful vaccinations that can protect their child from infection for 20 years. The consequences of the disease are much more serious and dangerous. Possible complications include:

• hardening or redness at the vaccine injection site;
• mild soreness;
• intoxication symptoms – fever, nausea, vomiting;
• deterioration in general health, including decreased appetite, headaches.

In order to minimize post-vaccination symptoms, parents should find out the day before whether the child has an individual intolerance to vaccine components, for example, formaldehyde or aluminum hydroxide. The child must be absolutely healthy before vaccination. Pediatricians recommend measuring the temperature at home and monitoring the baby’s general well-being.

Local post-vaccination reactions are observed on average in 15% of patients, and general ones - in 5-8%. All symptoms appear in a mild form and last no more than 2-3 days, so doctors do not recommend lubricating or treating the injection site with special medicines. The incidence of side effects after the first vaccination is much higher than after the second. If symptoms become stronger day by day and do not stop after 3-4 days, parents should seek advice from their treating pediatrician.