Vaccination against influenza: a panacea or deception
This issue is of concern to a huge number of people,for the answer, a meta-analysis was carried out, which consists in summarizing the results of several qualitative studies. In our country, an inactivated vaccine (intramuscular injection) is used and its effectiveness is 59% among the adult population from 18 to 65 years. A lot of it or a little - in general, it is regarded as a moderate indicator.
It should be borne in mind that the evaluation of effectivenessis summarized from observations over several years, and if in one season there is a positive effect of the vaccine against the flu, the result is counted, but in another period the drugs may not work, which, of course, reduces the percentage of effectiveness. The vaccine is more effective in young people and a lesser effect is observed in the elderly and toddlers.
How much are scientists wrong when choosing strains for a vaccine?
Of the 21 vaccination season, onlyfour of them strains did not coincide completely with those in circulation. These were the seasons 1992-93, 1997-98, 2003-04, 2007-08. Against the recent "swine flu", the vaccine has become effective with great delay, but the situation may be such that no one will be insured against the new pandemic strain.
Should I trust vaccines if they can be of no use?
Despite the fact that such a situation is not excluded,The vaccine can be effective partially and protect the body from closely related viruses. Even if this vaccine is not able to completely eliminate the disease, it can significantly reduce the possibility of complications after the flu.
In the indicated seasons, when the vaccine was selectednot optimal, on average 50% of the population avoided hospitalization. For a group at risk, for which vaccination is compulsory, even such material can be salvage. However, in the case of the circulation of absolutely opposite strains of influenza, such a vaccine will be helpless.
How important is the universal vaccination?
Since the above cases of vaccine mismatchwith circulating influenza viruses still occur, then no more vaccination is given, but among the population there is a risk group for which such precautions are vital. First of all, these are people who permanently reside in boarding schools, elderly and disabled homes, etc.
No less important is vaccination for people withchronic diseases of the heart and respiratory tract, asthmatics and diabetics. Age also plays a role: they are elderly people over 65 years old and babies from 6 months to 2 years. The rest of the risk group includes pregnant women, medical personnel and people who daily contact with a large number of people.
Does the vaccine cause a mild form of flu?
No injection vaccine is capable ofand therefore does not contribute to the disease of the flu in any degree. Side effects in the form of redness or swelling at the injection site, mild fever or malaise are not symptoms of the flu and disappear within a day (less often for three). The only indisputable contraindication to vaccination can be only a severe reaction to the previous vaccination.
Whether it is necessary to do an inoculation, if recently the organism was exposed to catarrhal disease?
It is possible, if it was a catarrhal disease inlight form, but not earlier than 14 days after the temperature normalization. After ARI accompanied by severe fever and other complications should not be vaccinated sooner than a month.
The correct decision will help the attending physician. For the rest of the population, vaccination is voluntary, and it should not be neglected if there is a newborn in the house or a long-term business trip is planned during the cold season.
Author: Katerina Sergeenko
