Irina Bogdanova, pediatrician:
"I will make sure to vaccinate my child according to the national vaccination schedule, and I also do all the vaccinations for myself." 1 Anti-Vaccines VS Doctors: Facts and Arguments - Today, the attitude towards vaccination is very ambiguous: some are exclusively “for”, others find dozens of reasons “against”. What position do you occupy?
- As a doctor and as a person, I believe that it is necessary to be vaccinated. And not only for children, but also for adults, because immunity weakens over time. Vaccination is very important for the health of the entire population.
- However, many deliberately refuse vaccination, citing arguments that seem reasonable at first glance. For example, as if some diseases were defeated not by vaccinations, but by time: by improving the quality of life, scientific achievements … What do you think?
- It was only thanks to vaccination that such terrible diseases as smallpox, plague, diphtheria were eradicated. At one time, they claimed many lives. Well, again, herd immunity works, formed at the expense of vaccinated people. However, the incidence is now rising again, and in part this is due to the refusal of people to get vaccinated.
- Anti-vaccines also explain their refusal to be vaccinated by the fact that we know almost nothing about the quality and composition of vaccines. It's true?
- All vaccines that we have in our country have been tested and researched by the World Health Organization. There are no bad vaccines - there are different in composition and components. But the main thing is that they all work.
- However, they do not guarantee one hundred percent protection?
- Yes, even a fully vaccinated person has the probability of getting sick, but it is minimal. In addition, vaccinated people, having become infected, recover faster, and in most cases the disease does not give complications. For example, vaccinated whooping cough is milder than those who refuse vaccination.
- What to do to those who first decided to refuse vaccination, and then changed their minds? What is the plan of action in this case?
- Starting to get vaccinated is already the right decision and an important step. The individual vaccination calendar is discussed with the pediatrician: he will help to draw up it based on the individual characteristics of the child. The doctor will also schedule an examination before starting the vaccination. It will include examinations by specialists and the necessary analyzes. 2 Just about complications - By the way, about complications: why is it not customary to talk about them openly? It so happens that doctors in the clinic do not even warn about the possible negative consequences of vaccination.
- Indeed, complications after vaccination occur, but this happens quite rarely. Preparing for vaccination is an important and complex process in which not only the pediatrician, but also the parents of the child should be involved. In each specific case, the drug with which the child will be vaccinated should be selected depending on age and individual characteristics. This is what the pediatrician is responsible for. Parents should be sure of the health of their child before vaccination: it is necessary to monitor the temperature, appetite, mood, and also limit contacts a few days before vaccination. Most often, "vaccine complications" refer to reactions to the vaccine itself. This is normal because immunity builds up over time. After vaccination, the following are possible:
temperature weakness the child becomes more capricious skin reaction at the injection site: redness, soreness, swelling.
The doctor should warn the parents about all this and tell how to act in case of a reaction. After vaccination, it is better to temporarily refuse to visit public places where the child can meet with ARVI and other infections. 3 Are we vaccinated against everything? - Why are vaccinations against some serious diseases not included in the national calendar? For example, from meningitis?
- This is not true. Meningitis can be caused by various microorganisms, and from the most dangerous vaccinations exist and are included in the national calendar.
- However, not all of these vaccines can be found in an ordinary district clinic …
- Yes, given the insufficient amount of some vaccines in polyclinics, they are vaccinated only for epidemiological indications. However, now at the state level, work is underway to introduce these vaccines for the prevention of everyone.
- Even doctors often advise to vaccinate with imported vaccines, but now there are big interruptions with them. What to do for those who cannot find the vaccine they need anywhere according to the plan?
- As I said, there are no good or bad vaccines, there is only a difference in their composition. Parents work with the pediatrician to decide which vaccinations and vaccines to use. There is no need to wait for certain vaccines.
- There is a lot of information on the Internet about the measles outbreak. Is it true that we are facing an epidemic?
- Corey is really a lot. Both children and adults are ill. There is no epidemic yet, but the incidence is growing. If a child is vaccinated against measles, then the probability of getting sick is minimal and nothing else needs to be done on purpose. According to the vaccination calendar, measles vaccination occurs at 1 year and at 6 years. If the child is not vaccinated, then it is better to get vaccinated right now, and adults donate blood for antibodies to measles and make sure that they are immune.
