Pneumococci not only cause pneumonia, but also other infections, such as otitis media or meningitis. Such bacteria are especially dangerous for children in the first years of life, therefore, since 2014, vaccination against pneumococcal infection has been included in the vaccination calendar. It can be carried out with several drugs, one of which is Prevenar. How is this drug administered, what does it look like and what possible health problems can it cause in a small child?
Composition and form of release
Prevenar is produced by the American company Pfizer and is a polysaccharide adsorbed pneumococcal vaccine containing 7 polysaccharides. These are conjugates to seven serotypes of pneumococci, which cause about 80% of pneumococcal infections. These polysaccharides are bound to the CRM197 carrier protein and are supplemented with sodium chloride, aluminum phosphate and sterile water.
The drug is a white suspension, placed in a volume of 0.5 ml in a disposable glass syringe, to which an injection needle is attached (the syringe is sealed in plastic).
The contents of the syringe are usually homogeneous, but the appearance of a white precipitate is also considered normal. One box usually sells 1 syringe, but there are also packs of 5 syringes.
When is it used?
The introduction of Prevenar stimulates the production of immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae - types of streptococcus that provoke pneumonia, acute otitis media, meningitis and other diseases. Especially often, such infections develop in children under 5 years old, therefore, it is recommended to start vaccination against pneumococcus even in infancy.
Although streptococci, unlike viruses, are attacked by antibacterial agents, many of these types of bacteria become resistant to antimicrobial drugs over time, so vaccination is considered more effective.
The vaccine is given to infants over 2 months of age and is especially important for:
- often sick babies;
- children with chronic pathologies;
- premature babies.
At the age of 5 years and older, vaccination with Prevenar is not carried out, since in such children, as in adults, after administration of the drug, the desired immune response does not develop.
Features of the vaccine
Pros of Prevenar:
- The vaccine protects against the most common strains of pneumococci. If the child develops otitis media, pneumonia or other infection caused by such streptococci, it will proceed easily.
- The drug rarely provokes adverse reactions.
- There are few contraindications to vaccination with Prevenar. The medication is safe for infants from 2 months of age.
However, the drug has certain disadvantages:
- Although very rare, an allergic reaction can occur to the components of Prevenar.
- The suspension contains not all Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, which provoke pneumococcal infection in childhood.
- If the baby has a weakened immune system, he does not tolerate vaccination with Prevenar.
Contraindications
The introduction of Prevenar is prohibited:
- with intolerance to its components;
- with an acute illness or with an exacerbation of any chronic illness;
- at elevated body temperature.
If the crumbs have an intolerance, the vaccination is canceled, and other cases are a reason to postpone vaccination until the baby is fully recovered.
If the baby has been transfused with blood, an injection is given 3-4 months after such a procedure.
Side effects and possible complications
Prevenar rarely provokes an adverse reaction, but it can be in the form of:
- soreness, induration or redness in the place where the suspension was injected;
- an increase in body temperature to a subfebrile indicator;
- tearfulness, drowsiness, decreased appetite, lethargy, irritability.
In some cases, the introduction of Prevenar can cause complications, for example, an immediate allergic reaction. Also, sometimes such negative phenomena are possible:
- rise in body temperature above +39;
- severe redness and significant swelling at the injection site;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- an attack of vomiting or diarrhea.
- the appearance of an abscess at the injection site;
- exacerbation of chronic pathology.
To prevent such negative reactions, it is important to take into account the contraindications and make sure that the child is completely healthy on the day of vaccination, his temperature is normal, there is no runny nose, there is no reddening of the throat, and chronic diseases are in remission.
If the child is prone to allergies, the doctor will prescribe one of the antihistamines. Such preparation in most cases helps to prevent complications.
In addition, after giving the injection, you should not immediately go home. It is advisable to stay in a medical facility for at least half an hour in order to exclude the occurrence of an immediate allergy. It is also worthwhile to limit the child's contacts with other people for several days after the introduction of Prevenar.
If side effects do occur, the parents' actions should depend on the characteristics of the reaction. For example, if the child has a fever, you should give the baby an antipyretic medicine (for example, Nurofen).
If there is a slight redness or soreness at the injection site, no special action is needed. The child can be bathed, but it is not worth treating the injection site with an antiseptic (as well as using a plaster or compress).
If the child's condition worsens or the reaction to the vaccine is more pronounced (for example, the child limps after the vaccination, his leg hurts badly, he sleeps badly or has an acute respiratory disease), the baby must be shown to the pediatrician.
The doctor will conduct an examination and determine whether complications have actually occurred, and will also prescribe the necessary treatment to eliminate the effects of the injection.
Instructions for use
Prevenar is injected only intramuscularly - into the thigh muscle (if the child is under two years old) or into the shoulder muscle (if the child is over 2 years old). Intravenous administration is strictly prohibited.
Before administration, the suspension is shaken so that its components are evenly distributed in the liquid.
The vaccination schedule depends on the age of the baby:
- If a baby is vaccinated for 2-6 months, then a three-time vaccination is recommended with an interval of at least 1 month, for example, at 2, 3 and 4 months. For the fourth time Prevenar is administered at 12-15 months (revaccination is carried out).
- If the vaccination is missed in the first half of the year, then a child of 7-11 months is given the vaccine only twice, for example, at 7 and 8 months. Revaccination is carried out at 12-15 months.
- If vaccination with Prevenar began in the second year of life (at the age of 12-23 months), then the child is vaccinated twice with an interval of at least 2 months, for example, at 12 and 14 months. Revaccination is not indicated for such children.
- If a child has not received the vaccine before 2 years of age, he can be vaccinated with Prevenar at the age of 2-5 years, injections of the drug once. Revaccination in this case is also not carried out.
Overdose
Exceeding the dose of Prevenar is impossible, since 1 vial (syringe with suspension) contains only one dose of the vaccine. If the next vaccine is given earlier than recommended after the previous vaccination, the child may experience the same side effects and complications as when using the vaccine at the correct doses.
Drug interactions
Vaccination with Prevenar can be combined with the introduction of other vaccinations with the condition that the injections will be performed in different parts of the body. The drug is not administered only with BCG.
Storage and sale conditions
The sealed vaccine has a shelf life of 3 years. Until it has expired, keep the drug in the refrigerator (at a temperature of + 2 + 8 degrees). The suspension can be purchased with a prescription.
Vaccination against pneumococcus is included in the national calendar: children under one year old are vaccinated free of charge in all children's clinics, and for vaccination with Prevenar in commercial clinics, you need to pay from 1,700 rubles.
Reviews
Since the pneumococcal vaccine was included in the vaccination schedule relatively recently, attitudes towards Prevenar vary. Some parents doubt its necessity and focus on the fact that there are a lot of injections in the vaccination calendar of a child under 3 years old.
However, with frequent illnesses and an increased risk of pneumococcal infection, in most cases, vaccination is not refused. In addition, many mothers praise Prevenar and note that the injection is well tolerated.
Doctors consider vaccination with Prevenar justified, since the diseases from which this vaccine protects children are quite serious and pose a great danger at an early age.
The activity of pneumococci can increase with any illness, even with a simple cold. And doctors call the pneumococcal vaccine the best prevention option. This opinion is shared by the popular pediatrician Komarovsky.
Analogs
In addition to Prevenar, other vaccines are used against pneumococcus:
- Prevenar 13... The main difference between such a suspension is the higher content of pneumococcal conjugates. The drug includes all polysaccharides present in Prevenar and additional conjugates to other types of pneumococci - a total of 13 serotypes. Such a vaccine is used to immunize not only children from 2 months to 5 years old, but also patients over 5 years old, including adults.
- Pneumo 23... This French vaccine contains polysaccharides from 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The drug is used in children over 2 years of age who are at risk.
- Pneumovax 23... This medication is analogous to Pnevmo 23, since it also contains polysaccharides obtained from 23 serotypes of pneumococci, and is also used from 2 years of age.
- Synflorix... This Belgian vaccination not only protects against 10 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, but also forms immunity to Haemophilus influenzae. It, like Prevenar, can be used in children under 2 years of age.
Doctor Komarovsky will tell you about the need for vaccination against pneumococcus in the next video.
