Vaccination with diphtheria and tetanus at 7. Vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus - useful information for parents. Possible complications after vaccination with aqds

- a dangerous airborne infection caused by a diphtheria bacillus. The disease is manifested by specific inflammation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and nasopharynx, wounds, genitals and eyes, severe intoxication. The toxin, and not the pathogen itself, causes damage to the cardiovascular, nervous, excretory systems.

Rise in incidence (in the absence of vaccinations) is repeated every 6-8 years, characterized by an increase in severe forms and mortality. The cessation of such periodic increases in incidence is achieved only by vaccination coverage of over 95% of children of the ages subject to vaccination.

Vaccination preparations

For the purpose of prophylaxis, neutralized diphtheria toxoid is introduced. Primary vaccination of children can be carried out with one of the following combination vaccines:

DPT (Russia);
Pentaxim (France);
Infanrix (UK),
Infanrix Hexa (Great Britain).

Each of these vaccines contains diphtheria toxoid.

Watch the video about the Pentaxim vaccine.

There are 2 types of diphtheria vaccines available:

with a preservative thiomersal in ampoules for several doses;
without preservative - in a disposable syringe, 1 dose; they have a shorter shelf life but less risk of adverse reactions.

DPT is available in 2-dose ampoules. All other of the vaccines listed above are available in a single-use, 1-dose syringe.

ADS-toxoid - adsorbed, purified diphtheria and tetanus toxoid in one dose.

ADS-M-toxoid contains lower doses of both toxoids.

All preparations for vaccination are subject to transportation and storage at a temperature of + 4- + 8 0 С, avoiding freezing. If the rules of temperature are violated, the vaccine is prohibited.

Vaccination course

Primary vaccination for a baby is carried out with the DPT vaccine from 3 months: 0.5 ml 3 injections at intervals of 45 days. At the request of the parents, primary vaccination can be carried out with one of the imported vaccines (Infanrix, Pentaxim, Infanrix Hexa). The vaccine is administered intramuscularly.

The immunity to diphtheria acquired through vaccination is not eternal, it has a definite duration. To "renew" the immunity, repeated administration of toxoid is carried out (revaccination).

Revaccination is carried out in the following terms:

The first - with the DPT vaccine (or another vaccine) after 12 months. after the 3rd vaccination;
The second - from 7 years old ADS-M-toxoid;
The third - at the age of 14;
further every 10 years ADS-M-toxoid.

If, for any reason, the first vaccination is carried out from 4 to 6 years old, then the child is injected with ADS-toxoid 2 times with an interval of 45 days (it does not pose such a danger). The child is revaccinated after 9-12 months. after the 2nd introduction.

When carrying out the first vaccination from 6 years old and older children, ADS-M-toxoid is injected twice (interval 45 days), revaccination is done after 6-9 months. after the 2nd introduction.

Periodically, a massive revaccination against diphtheria is carried out among the adult population of the country:

Vaccination reaction

All drugs with diphtheria toxoid are slightly reactive. However, after their introduction, reactions are possible:

temperature rise within 38 0 С;
slight malaise on the first day after vaccination, anxiety;
local reaction in the form of slight swelling, redness, soreness;
in rare cases, an ephemeral rash may appear (disappearing after a few hours).

Severe complications (neurological reactions, seizures, anaphylactic shock) are extremely rare. In these cases, it is necessary to exclude the associated diseases. Complications may appear on other components that make up the combination vaccine.

Contraindications

There are practically no contraindications to diphtheria vaccination. In the case of a mild form, children are allowed to vaccinate immediately after recovery. For moderate and severe acute infections, vaccination is possible after 2 weeks.

In case of chronic pathology of the lungs, kidneys, liver, hemoblastosis, immunodeficiency states, vaccination is permissible during the period of remission according to an individual schedule under the supervision of an immunologist.

Effectiveness of vaccination

In response to the toxoid introduced into the child's body, a specific reaction of the immune system develops, as a result of which antitoxins are produced. They ensure the child's immunity to diphtheria bacillus. Antitoxins remain and have a protective effect for about 10 years after vaccination.

In unvaccinated children, diphtheria is difficult, with complications and possible death.

Diphtheria vaccine

In some cases, the level of specific immunity in a vaccinated child may decrease. The reason for this decline may be:

violation of the terms of vaccination or revaccination;
other infectious diseases;
temperature disturbances during storage of the vaccine.

When diphtheria occurs in a vaccinated child, there is often a disease in the form of a bacterial carrier, mild forms with a smooth uncomplicated course and a favorable outcome prevail. Fatal cases were not observed.

Do I need to vaccinate my child against diphtheria?

Whether or not to vaccinate the baby is up to the parents, of course. Such facts must be weighed before making a decision. Diphtheria has claimed the lives of thousands of children over the course of centuries. With a rapid increase in the severity of the condition and blockage of the airways with diphtheria films, you may not have time to seek help. At the end of the 19th century, half of the sick died.

Since 1974, by decision of the WHO, the implementation of mass immunization of the population has begun. In countries where about 98% of the population is vaccinated in childhood, the incidence of diphtheria has decreased by 90%.

Considering the danger of the disease itself and the easy tolerance of anti-diphtheria vaccinations, the practically absence of serious complications, it is necessary to vaccinate the child.

Resume for parents

There is a threat for a child to fall ill with such a life-threatening infectious disease as exists. The only reliable protection against infection is provided by timely vaccination.

Which doctor to contact

Vaccination of children against diphtheria is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. Additional help is provided by an infectious disease specialist. Parents can pre-consult with an immunologist and allergist and learn about the safety of the vaccination for the child.

As a protection against a dangerous infection, the diphtheria vaccine is given to children even in infancy. The disease is provoked by the toxin of the microorganism Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The course of the disease is quite severe: dense films form on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, throat and intestines, under which ulcers and tissue necrosis are found.

If serum is not administered on time, mortality is 70 cases out of 100. Therefore, the vaccine against diphtheria is given to children from the age of three months in the form of a complex vaccine - DPT, which simultaneously protects against tetanus and pertussis. In an isolated form, diphtheria vaccination is extremely rare today.

Most often, children are simultaneously vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus - it is a combination of toxoids and is called ADS. There is also a vaccine with a pertussis component (), but not all children tolerate it. Why is an injection given for two diseases at once? There are quite justified reasons for this:

both components (anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus) require the same active substance - aluminum hydroxide;
the calendars for the introduction of vaccinations, the schemes, the timing of vaccination against these diseases (if taken separately) coincide, which makes it possible to put these vaccines at the same time;
the current level of industrial development allows placing these two components in one preparation, which means that the number of injections for babies is halved.

In any case, it is convenient for doctors, parents, and children themselves that one vaccination provides protection from two most dangerous infections at once. Accordingly, the reaction of a small organism to vaccination, its side effects can be experienced only 1 time instead of 2 times.

Features of vaccination

Doctors should inform parents in advance when the diphtheria vaccine is being given and how to prepare for the upcoming vaccination. It is carried out in accordance with the generally accepted vaccination schedule:

at 3 months;
at 4.5 months;
in six months;
in a year and a half;
at 6-7 years old.

Full susceptibility of the body to diphtheria is formed after the introduction of three doses of the vaccine (they are given at intervals of 30–40 days). But to maintain the immune system, children are given two more auxiliary vaccinations against diphtheria, which allow them to maintain immunity to infection for 10 years. So revaccination after that will be necessary only at the age of 16-17.

The second question that always worries parents before this procedure is where children are vaccinated against diphtheria. This requires muscle, so it is recommended to inject under the scapula or into the thigh, where the skin thickness is not great, which means that the vaccine will quickly reach its final goal.

Despite the usefulness and maximum effectiveness of this vaccine, and also due to the availability of information on how to get the diphtheria vaccine, many parents hesitate to consent to such a procedure. Why is the number of refusals from it not decreasing every year, but growing?

Pros and cons

Before vaccination, parents are interested in whether the diphtheria vaccination is compulsory and whether it is possible to refuse it. On the one hand, you can write a refusal, and then the injection will not be given to the child. But at the same time, doctors must explain in detail to parents what this can lead to. It should be borne in mind what are the benefits of vaccination against diphtheria:

the risk of contracting an infection is minimal;
even if the child falls ill with diphtheria, but will be vaccinated against it, the course of the disease will be fast, the form will be mild, recovery will not be long in coming;
When your child grows up, they may not be hired due to the lack of information about this vaccination in their medical records.

Moreover, the list of works for which the vaccination against diphtheria is required is quite impressive:

agricultural;
construction;
irrigation and drainage;
procurement;
geological;
commercial;
prospecting;
expeditionary;
caring for animals;
maintenance of sewerage facilities;
medicine;
education.

So if you want to see your baby in the future as a doctor or teacher, it is better to immediately agree to vaccination, otherwise many doors will simply close in front of him. Why, then, is the diphtheria vaccine so terrifying to parents that they refuse the life-saving and so useful injection? Perhaps they are frightened by the list of those complications that may arise after it. However, they develop only if some contraindications have not been observed, the presence of which is detected in children before they are given the vaccine.

Contraindications

One of the most important advantages of the diphtheria vaccine is the minimum of contraindications. Vaccination is not carried out at all if the child has an individual intolerance to the components of the injected drug. In other cases, the vaccination can only be postponed:

in the acute course of any disease;
if there is a high fever;
if you are taking strong medications;
the presence of eczema;
if the child has diathesis.

If individual intolerance or these factors were not identified in time, only in this case one can expect some side effects after the diphtheria vaccination. In all other cases, the reaction to this vaccination is within the normal range.

Vaccination reaction

Parents need to know how their child should react to the diphtheria vaccine, so as not to worry in vain. Despite the fact that the symptoms of this post-vaccination reaction can be unpleasant, they quickly and completely disappear without affecting the health of the child. These most often include:

local reaction: redness of the skin;
lethargy;
general malaise;
drowsiness;
if the diphtheria vaccine hurts, you do not need to be scared: inflammation forms at the injection site, which can be accompanied by pain, so this reaction is natural for a whole week after vaccination;
a slight swelling at the injection site can also persist for a week until the drug is completely absorbed into the blood;
the formation of a lump is a consequence of the fact that the vaccine drug did not get into the muscle, but into the tissue under the skin: there is nothing wrong with that, but this neoplasm will dissolve for a long time - within a month;
if the child has a fever within two days after vaccination, it can be brought down with antipyretic drugs; it usually does not last too long and is not extremely high.

In order for the reactions after the injection to be completely normal, you need to know a few basic points of caring for the puncture site. For example, many are interested in how much one should not wash after vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus, although there are no contraindications after this vaccination to water procedures. You just do not need to bathe your child in a too hot bath with foam, and even more so with salt, so as not to irritate the skin at the injection site. It is also better not to use a washcloth for a week. Otherwise, there are no restrictions, so parents should not be afraid to consent to the diphtheria vaccination. Moreover, complications after it are extremely rare.

Complications

All the consequences of vaccination against diphtheria can hardly be called complications, since, firstly, they are very rare, and secondly, they do not cause significant harm to the health of the child. These include:

diarrhea;
profuse sweating;
dermatitis;
cough;
pharyngitis;
runny nose;
bronchitis.

All these diseases are treated in a short time. They are extremely rare as side effects after diphtheria vaccination. Moreover, the motives of those parents who refuse this vaccination are not clear. Neither anaphylactic shock nor deaths were observed after injection of ADS. At the same time, the effectiveness and benefits of vaccination have been repeatedly confirmed in practice. So, before making such a responsible decision, parents should definitely talk with a pediatrician, find out all the advantages and disadvantages of an anti-diphtheria injection and draw the right conclusions. After all, both the health and the future life of the baby will depend on them.

- an effective way to prevent the development of an infectious disease or to alleviate its course. Diphtheria is an infectious disease.

It has been proven repeatedly: timely vaccination will save not only from dangerous complications, but also from death. Immunization is indicated for both children and adults.

Physician-therapist: Azalia Solntseva ✓ Article reviewed by a doctor

Vaccination against diphtheria, methods of vaccination and types of drugs

A timely vaccination provides protection against the disease provoked by the pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae, or rather, toxins secreted by this microorganism. The disease is characterized by the formation of dense films on the mucous membrane of the pharynx, nose, larynx, trachea and the appearance of signs of general intoxication.

Since persistent immunity cannot be obtained after a cure from diphtheria, everyone should be vaccinated, regardless of age. The introduction of a vaccine preparation promotes the formation of antitoxic immunity, which helps to avoid the development of dangerous forms of pathology that result in disability or death of the patient.

To immunize the population, a vaccine is produced, which is a weakened diphtheria toxin. Its introduction provokes the synthesis of antitoxins. Their presence determines immunity to the effects of corynebacteria (diphtheria sticks).

Modern medicine uses 2 types of vaccine preparations:

With a preservative (thiomersal, merthiolate). It is a substance that contains mercury. This compound also has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Its concentration in the vaccine is so small that it cannot have any harmful effect on the body as a whole. Merthiolate vaccines are available in ampoules for several doses. The list of drugs with thiomersal is presented by the DTP, ADS-M, ADS, Bubo-Kok, Bubo-M, DT Vax vaccines.
No merthiolate. These formulations are safer and can be dispensed into single-use syringes. Among the vaccines without a preservative, it is worth highlighting Pentaxim, Infanrix, Infanrix Hexa, Tetraksim.

Pertussis vaccination, tetanus, diphtheria - vaccine name and characteristics

Immunization is mainly carried out with the help of DTP vaccination, the full name of the vaccine is adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine.

It contains:

non-living whooping cough microbes;
diphtheria toxoid;
tetanus toxoid.

The vaccine is cellular and acellular. The first option is preparations with whole cells of the killed pathogen (DPT), the second type of vaccines contains particles of non-living pathogenic microorganisms (Pentaxim, Infanrix).

The first vaccines cause more adverse reactions such as fever, headache, redness and swelling at the injection site.

The DTP vaccine is produced by the Microgen company (Russia).

Immunization can also be carried out using foreign vaccines:

Pentaxim. From the name of the vaccine, it is clear that the number of components is five. It protects not only from the pathologies listed above, but also from two other diseases - poliomyelitis and hemophilic infection. The French drug is well tolerated by children and is administered to babies from 2 months of age.
Infanrix. Belgian vaccine with 3 main components, as in the Russian DPT. Indications: primary immunization and revaccination. Vaccination is allowed from 2 months.
Infanrix Hexa. It helps to protect yourself from both the main three pathologies and from hepatitis B, hemophilic infection and poliomyelitis.
Tetracoccus. The French-made drug is intended for the prevention of 3 major diseases and poliomyelitis. It is introduced from 2 months to 6 years of age. Thanks to the passage of a course consisting of 4 vaccinations, almost 100% protection against the listed ailments is achieved.

Vaccination calendar - at what age, at what age diphtheria vaccination is recommended

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of using the DPT vaccine, because before its invention, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus were the most common causes of death in children. Therefore, it is worth listening to the instructions of doctors and not giving up vaccination. And for this you need to know at what age vaccinations are given.

Vaccination calendar:

from 3, 4.5, 6 months of age;
1.5 years;
6-7 years old;
14 years.

For adults, immunization is carried out taking into account whether a diphtheria vaccine has been previously administered. If a person has been injected with the drug, the vaccine is used every 10 years to maintain immunity, starting at the age of 24.

18 months - first revaccination

Since after a course of vaccination a year later, it is possible to stop the production of antibodies, it is planned to re-administer the drug to babies who are 1.5 years old.

Parents who are not aware of the possible risk refuse to carry out revaccination, especially after the appearance of negative reactions to the injected substance. It is possible to make sure that the baby is fully protected only with the help of an immunological study.

Re-vaccination at 7 years old

The second revaccination (diphtheria tetanus vaccination) should be carried out at the age of 7, while using drugs containing only tetanus and diphtheria toxoid.

Revaccination at age 14

How important is diphtheria vaccine at 14? Teenagers with the onset of 14 years of age are vaccinated with the ADS-M vaccine, in which active toxoids are present in small quantities. This is due to the fact that there is no need to create immunity. It only needs to be supported.

Where to inject and how to prepare for the procedure

If the child is scheduled for vaccination, parents should know where the injection is given, why the drug should be injected in a specific place, and how to prepare.

DTP vaccination is done by a qualified health worker in compliance with all the rules. For children, intramuscular injection is provided in the thigh area.

The injection in this place guarantees the most effective result, while the reaction will be weak. This is possible due to the presence in the selected areas of a minimum layer of subcutaneous tissue, which contributes to the normal absorption of the drug.

Adults are given injections in:

subscapularis;
the antero-outer zone of the thigh.

Doctors constantly remind of the importance of preparing for the procedure, since complications after vaccination are not excluded.

To minimize the risk, you must adhere to a number of conditions:

the vaccination is given to a healthy child;
the best time for vaccination is one hour after a meal;
it is recommended to visit the toilet before the procedure;
you should stock up on antipyretic;
on the day when the injection is given, you must refrain from walking and bathing.

Possible complications after DPT vaccination

Any vaccine, including DPT, is sometimes capable of provoking complications resulting from a reaction to the components of the drug.

As statistics show, in America since 1978, there has not been a single case of severe consequences of the introduction of the vaccine against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria. Among the likely complications, which are extremely rare, doctors distinguish neurological manifestations that are presumably caused by reactions to pertussis antigen.

This refers to the occurrence of:

seizures without an increase in temperature indicators (there can be from 0.3 to 90 cases per 100 thousand vaccinated);
encephalopathy (less than 1 case per 300 thousand vaccinated).

At the moment, convulsive phenomena that are not accompanied by an increase in temperature are not considered a complication.

The risk of serious consequences increases greatly if absolute contraindications are ignored.

In addition to the listed violations, it is possible that:

infectious toxic shock;
a serious allergic reaction.

Usually, the appearance of such complications occurs almost immediately after vaccination.

Consequences of using DPT and a possible reaction - leg hurts, temperature

Do not panic when your leg hurts after the injection. According to doctors, special treatment is not required in this case. The symptom disappears on its own within 7 days. If the pain bothers too much, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Nimesulide) is allowed.

In addition to painful sensations, there may be the following consequences and reactions when vaccinated with diphtheria and tetanus in the form of:

swelling of the injection site, provoked by local inflammation;
seals (it is a consequence of the composition entering the subcutaneous tissue and dissolves for about a month);
temperature (it is allowed to take antipyretic).

You should be careful: an increase in temperature indicators 2 days after the procedure indicates the beginning of the development of a completely different pathology, and vaccination has nothing to do with its appearance.

Sometimes parents after vaccination in a child are faced with:

febrile seizures;
a shrill cry in a child;
upset stool;
itching;
increased sweating;
cough attacks;
headache;
dermatitis;
runny nose;
sleep disorders;
loss of appetite.

These side effects shouldn't be alarming. They are quite easy to treat.

Contraindications to DPT - absolute and relative

Before agreeing to vaccination, you should make sure that there are no contraindications. This is especially true for young children. Parents should find out when vaccinations are allowed and when they are prohibited.

Contraindications are:

absolute;
relative.

The former include the presence of:

history of afebrile seizures;
progressive diseases of the central nervous system;
pronounced reactions to the previous DPT vaccination: temperature above 40C in the first 2 days after vaccination, swelling or redness at the injection site of more than 8 cm.

When these conditions are present, DTP will not be administered at all. If one of the absolute contraindications is ignored, the patient faces a serious complication.

If there are relative contraindications, vaccination is postponed for a certain period.

The vaccine is given later to those who suffer from:

acute diseases;
aggravated chronic diseases.

Vaccination of pregnant women - vaccination schedule when carrying a child

If a woman becomes pregnant, use of live vaccines is prohibited, otherwise the child may suffer from infection. The drugs used for immunization against diphtheria contain only toxoid in their composition.

The World Health Organization allows the use of diphtheria and tetanus vaccines during pregnancy. If the last vaccination was delivered 10 years ago or more, a woman in a position may well be immunized.

In the event that the course was not fully completed earlier, a schedule is drawn up that provides for 3-fold administration of vaccine preparations. This will help ensure that the baby has antibodies during the first months of life.

However, the possible risks of using vaccines during pregnancy should be considered. It is advisable to refrain from immunization until 12 weeks. At the onset of the 13th week, the vaccine preparation for the baby does not pose a threat.

Pregnant women should be vaccinated without fail if an epidemic is developing in the region where they live.

Ideally, prophylaxis should be carried out before pregnancy in order to minimize the risk of harm to the developing fetus.

Diphtheria - historical background, vaccination achievements

Hippocrates was the first to mention such a dangerous ailment as diphtheria. He wrote that the disease provokes paresis and paralysis of the muscles of the face, soft palate and hands, not to mention the formation of a grayish-white film with a putrid odor covering the pharynx, tonsils, nasopharyngeal mucosa and causing suffocation.

During the 17th century, the disease claimed many lives in European countries, and in the 18th the disease penetrated the American continent.

Diphtheria, as a separate disease, was first isolated in 1826 by the French scientist Pierre Bretonneau and was named "diphtheria". Later, a student of Bretonneau applied the term used in modern medicine to the disease - "diphtheria".

The pathogen was discovered by the German bacteriologist and pathologist Edwin Klebs in 1883. And in 1890, toxoid was found in human blood - a substance that neutralizes the effect of diphtheria toxin.

1902 - scientist S. Dzerzhikovsky (Russia) developed the first vaccine against diphtheria, which he tested on his body. After 20 years, the composition began to be used in Europe for the prevention of a formidable disease. The mass production of a one-component drug began in the 50s. DTP was created in 1974.

Mass immunization has contributed to a significant decrease in the number of patients, both in Russia and around the world.

Vaccinations used for diphtheria have repeatedly proven their effectiveness, and complications are rare. The key to success is adherence to the vaccine administration technique and proper preparation for the procedure.

Content

In modern medicine, the most effective way to prevent most infectious viral and not only diseases is vaccination, which helps the body to independently produce protective microorganisms. So, according to doctors, a diphtheria vaccine, delivered on time, can save a child and an adult's life, however, not everyone understands how much the potential benefit outweighs the side effects. Do I need a vaccine and when to give it?

What is diphtheria

Among infectious diseases, according to medical statistics, diphtheria is not the most common, but in terms of the degree of danger in terms of the number of negative consequences, it is in the leading position. If we talk about a disease that occurs in children, then in 60% of cases it ends in death, and in other situations, poorly treated diphtheria is closely intertwined with dangerous complications:

problems with the heart and blood vessels;
neuritis (disturbances in the work of the peripheral nervous system);
nephrotic syndrome.

The causative agents of diphtheria are corynebacteria, otherwise called diphtheria rods or Löffler's bacilli. Mostly the disease affects the mucous membranes of the oropharynx and goes down, so a common symptom of diphtheria is "bull's neck" - severe swelling of the pharynx and larynx. However, damage to the lungs, bronchi, skin and a whole list of internal organs is not excluded. Bacteria transmission routes:

airborne - sneezing, coughing;
contact - with a sick person or a carrier of the pathogen and through touching common objects;
food - through the consumption of contaminated food (often of the dairy group).

Why do you need a diphtheria vaccine

The complexity of the treatment of diphtheria and the severity of the patient's condition are explained by the fact that the pathogenic microorganism, during its activity, infects the body with diphtheria toxins. At the site of the introduction of diphtheria rods, an inflammatory process begins to develop and a fibrinous film is formed. Exotoxin enters the bloodstream, so a person has symptoms of general severe intoxication, which will be absent only in a benign form of the disease. If you do not get an anti-diphtheria vaccine, it will be impossible to recover without complications.

Consequences of the transferred disease

The activity of diphtheria rods is so high that they affect most of the internal organs - only 1 in 1000 people get sick with benign and non-dangerous forms, and the rest are faced with damage to the lungs, kidneys, and the peripheral nervous system. The high degree of toxicity of the toxin secreted by the causative agent of diphtheria leads to severe complications that can only be prevented by vaccination. Often the result of postponed diphtheria is:

damage to cells of the nervous system with subsequent paralysis;
myocarditis - damage to the heart muscle;
asphyxia (in the case of diphtheria croup - damage to the larynx, bronchi, trachea);
paralysis of the muscles of the neck, vocal cords, upper palate;
paralysis of the upper and lower extremities;
a general decrease in immunity, which does not exclude a new outbreak of diphtheria after 10 years, but the disease will be transferred more easily.

Diphtheria vaccine

The guarantee of protection against vaccination is not 100%, but has a high degree of reliability - medical statistics report that only 10% of people who gave an injection against diphtheria did not avoid infection, but they suffered the disease more easily than those who refused vaccination. Vaccination is the introduction of a weakened diphtheria toxin, which does not provoke the development of the disease, but forces the body to synthesize antitoxins. The vaccine does not work on the caught diphtheria bacillus - only on the substances secreted by it. There are 2 groups of formulations on the basis of which the vaccination is performed:

With the preservative thiomersal, a mercury-containing compound considered teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic, causing allergies. Russian vaccines DPT, ADS-M and ADS (often vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria for children are given on their basis) contain thiomersal in an amount of 100 μg / ml. Otherwise, it is designated by specialists as merthiolate.
Thiomersal-free preservative - available in single-dose syringes, since they cannot be stored for a long time. However, such formulations are safer. The most well-known thiomersal-free vaccine is Pentaxim.

The most common variant of the vaccine for vaccination against diphtheria is DTP - adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus, which contains purified microbes that cause all 3 diseases. They are sorbed using aluminum hydroxide gel. 1 ml (1 vaccination - 0.5 ml) of the vaccine accounts for:

pertussis microbial cells - 20 billion;
diphtheria toxoid - 30 units;
tetanus toxoid - 10 units.

The aforementioned thiomersal acts as a preservative for this vaccine for antidiphtheria vaccination, but technically ADKS fully complies with the requirements of the World Health Organization. However, in terms of the number of post-vaccination complications, this composition is not the safest. The DTP vaccine is produced by the Russian manufacturer "Microgen", which is engaged in the production of 2 of its varieties:

ADS - diphtheria-tetanus toxoid is given mainly to children (up to 6 years old), it is a substitute for DPT if the child has contraindications to the latter. By the principle of action, this vaccine is similar to the rest of the complex for diphtheria.
ADS-M toxoid - differs from the previous version of the composition for vaccination in a reduced proportion of diphtheria toxoid, therefore, it is prescribed for children aged 6 years, and for adults, injections are given at intervals of 10 years.

Vaccination against diphtheria can also be carried out using a foreign composition - also complex, therefore, aimed at protecting against several diseases at once. In terms of the set of active components, these vaccines are close to the Russian ADKS, but they are devoid of thiomersal, due to which they are considered safer, especially for children. In modern medicine, vaccinations for the prevention of diphtheria are used:

Pentaxim - produced by Aventis, works not only against tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria, but also against poliomyelitis (viruses of 1-3 types) and hemophilus influenza. The composition contains formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol. For children over 2 months old.
Infanrix - produced by Glaxo, contains 30 units of diphtheria toxoid, 40 units of tetanus toxoid and 25 μg of pertussis, which is superior to the Russian ADKS. Additionally, hemagglutinin and pertactin antigen are present here. Full protection of the body is observed after a course of 3 vaccinations. The composition is allowed for children from 2 months.
Infanrix Hexa - this version of the foreign vaccine is already used not only against the main three childhood diseases, but can also protect against poliomyelitis, hemophilic infection and hepatitis B. It also has a truncated version that does not affect hepatitis and hemophilic infection - Infanrix IPV.

Vaccination schedule

How often you have to give vaccinations that protect the body from the activity of the diphtheria bacillus depends on the state of the immune system and working conditions. Doctors advise students and military personnel, people employed in construction and the railway industry to undergo routine vaccination, since their incidence is significantly higher than that of other population groups. A similar recommendation is given to people in the zone of adverse epidemiological conditions for diphtheria.

Diphtheria vaccine for adults

In view of the stronger immunity in adults, their vaccination is carried out routinely with an interval of 10 years, starting at the age of 27. This is also explained by the fact that the active substances of the anti-diphtheria formulations are valid for a long period, therefore, there is no need for frequent revaccination. However, intervals of 10 years are relevant only for persons who, in childhood, were vaccinated according to the general scheme with sufficient frequency. If a person has never received such a vaccine, his immunity is not formed, and for this situation, doctors offer the following option:

Deliver 3 doses of the drug (often AD-M, ADS-M or Imovax), first maintaining an interval of 1 month, and then - 1 year.
Count 10 years from the 3rd vaccination before revaccination with any of the formulations (only 1 dose).

Immunizing children

With the composition of Russian production, the first vaccination is given to babies when they reach the age of 3 months, and foreign ones (Infanrix, Pentaxim) are allowed for babies from 2 months. The immunization schedule for babies is more complicated than for adults, since diphtheria is more dangerous for them due to imperfect immunity. Three doses in the first year of life are given to children at intervals of 1.5 months, and then they take a break. After the view of the children's calendar of vaccinations that protect against diphtheria, based on the Russian composition, it looks like this:

revaccination of ADS is carried out when the baby reaches 18 months;
the next vaccination (mainly ADS-M) is given to a child who has reached primary school age (7 years).
after it is necessary to immunize a teenager who is 14 years old, and then the adult scheme is applied.

However, this diphtheria vaccination schedule is not universal, especially if foreign formulations are used. Some doctors consider it advisable to vaccinate children 3 times up to six months (also with an interval of 1.5 months), and then repeat the procedure first at 18 months, then at 6 years old. Depending on the amount of antibodies developed after the administration of toxoid, the period until the next vaccination can be extended up to 10 years. So the last immunization of a child will be carried out at the age of 16.

Where is the diphtheria vaccine given?

Any of the compositions (both Russian and foreign) is administered intramuscularly - intravenously is prohibited, intradermally too. Mostly the injection site is the gluteus muscle, or it can be the anterolateral thigh (middle third). Experts remind that before injecting serum, you need to make sure that the needle is not in a blood vessel.

Is it possible to wet the injection site

Doctors do not prohibit contact with water after the diphtheria vaccine is given, however, during the first week, it is forbidden to visit the sauna and pool, take a salt bath or use a large amount of foam in it. It is undesirable to rub the injection site with a hard washcloth during water procedures so that irritation does not occur. If possible, it is also better not to swim in the sea.

Side effects

The diphtheria vaccine is well tolerated even by the smallest patients, if the doctor has given the injection correctly - into the muscle. However, local reactions, expressed by reddening of the skin in the area of the injection, the appearance of a lump (if the vaccination was delivered intradermally) and edema over the entire limb. These symptoms last no longer than 4 days, as well as some general points of deterioration of the condition:

diarrhea;
nausea;
sleep disorders;
fever (eliminated by conventional antipyretic drugs);
loss of appetite.

Reaction to diphtheria vaccine in children

In the absence of severe allergies (the occurrence of anaphylactic shock is not excluded), all the compositions are perceived normally by babies, although some children complain that they have a sore throat - the initial symptom of bronchitis and pharyngitis, which occurs in isolated cases. Vaccination against diphtheria in children can provoke and:

high fever (the use of antipyretics is allowed);
hypotension;
severe crying, mood swings.

Complications in adults

If a person is deprived of individual intolerance to the components of the composition for vaccination, follows all the rules for caring for the injection area, there will be no deterioration in well-being. Local reactions are considered the norm, so they are not taken for complications. In rare cases, toxoid causes an allergy in an adult, which is manifested by:

dermatitis;
eczema;
diathesis;
anaphylactic shock.

Contraindications for diphtheria vaccination

Most people are wary of the word "vaccination", which is partly justified: not all categories of the population can be immunized. According to doctors, diphtheria vaccination is undesirable for pregnant women at an early stage (up to 12 weeks) and for those who have an individual intolerance to the components of the composition. Contraindications may include:

Colds.
The presence of neurological pathologies.
Exacerbation of diseases of internal organs.
Encephalopathy in a progressive form.
Malignant tumors.

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Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Is it advisable to get a tetanus and diphtheria vaccine at an early age according to the calendar? It is widely believed in the domestic environment that early vaccination is not always appropriate. However, doctors say that vaccinations should be done as early as possible, this does not harm health, but on the contrary - vaccinations create powerful immunity against a number of dangerous diseases.

Doctors strongly recommend immunizing children according to an approved vaccination plan. Arguments for early vaccination are based on a sharp increase in the likelihood of contracting a dangerous infection when the baby reaches a period of active social life, begins to run and jump with might and main.

Are these vaccinations needed today?

If parents strongly doubt that vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria should be given to young children, then this article is just on the topic. The vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus is widely used in the practice of doctors around the world. Due to this, outbreaks of mass infection with deadly diseases, including tetanus and diphtheria, are less and less frequent, and the mortality rate has been sharply reduced.

Among the vaccinated patients, babies under one year old occupy a predominant place. The prophylactic dose of the vaccine is also administered to adults. Only with the help of vaccination is it possible to completely or significantly minimize the risks of infection.

If the vaccinated person becomes infected with tetanus or diphtheria infection, then the disease will proceed much easier, thanks to the antibodies in the blood.

Immunity against tetanus bacillus can weaken, this is due to the fact that the level of antibodies gradually decreases. To maintain stable specific immunity, revaccination is performed. Side effects after vaccination are most often a protective reaction of the body to the drug being administered. Manifested in the form of general intoxication or an allergic reaction. Less often - they give serious complications.

What is a vaccine

At the stage of planning the immunization of a child, parents are interested in the quality, effectiveness and price of the vaccine. The modern level of development of pharmacology makes it possible to successfully combine vaccines against several diseases in one preparation. This significantly reduces the duration of vaccination, while not increasing the burden on the body.

Diphtheria-tetanus vaccine is usually combined with a whooping cough component. Such a drug is collectively called DTP. For revaccination of adults, ADS (diphtheria-tetanus toxoid) is used. With the help of preventive vaccinations with DPT and ADS, a strong immunity is formed against life-threatening infectious diseases.

It is worth noting that an allergic reaction or other manifestations of side effects, which depend on the individual tolerance of the drug, are possible for any of the existing vaccines.

At the same time, the diphtheria and tetanus components of serum act on the body more gently, comparing with the aggressive effects of the whooping cough component. Imported counterparts, which have a slightly different method of "cleaning", are more often tolerated by children.

Is the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine dangerous?

Today, children under one year of age are given a course of primary vaccination against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria. This three-component vaccine is called DTP.

Sometimes immunization is accompanied by manifestations of unpleasant post-vaccination reactions, such as:

hyperthermia;
allergic reactions;
bowel disorders;
headache, less often subfebrile seizures;
pain syndrome at the injection site.

Parents who have heard about side effects wonder whether it is worth getting a tetanus and diphtheria vaccine at an early age. It should be borne in mind that severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. For prevention, there is a need to stay in the next 30 minutes from the moment of the injection near a medical institution, before going home, the child needs to be shown to the doctor.

Severe allergies usually show up very quickly.
When deciding on vaccination, one should take into account the fact that the risks associated with vaccination are many times less than the risk of infection with the tetanus bacillus.
How to reduce the chance of side effects
You can minimize the risks of developing complications after vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus by observing some precautionary rules:
ask the doctor in advance about what consequences are within the acceptable limits after vaccination;
implementation of the rules for the prevention of ARVI in the pre- and post-vaccination period;
before immunization, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a competent specialist;
the use of antihistamines and antipyretics helps to cope with some of the symptoms of post-vaccination syndrome.

Symptoms that indicate discomfort are a reason to watch your baby.

If the temperature rises on the eve of going to the clinic, then vaccination must be postponed. Just snot without any accompanying factors is not a reason to panic, it is likely that after being examined by a specialist, it will still be possible to vaccinate.
You should always pay attention to the likelihood of contracting a viral infection before or during vaccination. If a child the day before has communicated with children who are sick with ARVI, there are sick adults in the house - it is better to refuse vaccination for a while.
What complications can there be?
After vaccination, symptoms of malaise in the baby may be observed, some of which indicate the dangerous consequences of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus.
These include:
body temperature from 38 or more, which cannot be reduced on its own within 2-3 hours;
convulsions, speech impairment;
a state of general intoxication in which the child;
vomiting, bowel upset;

If you experience the above symptoms, you should seek emergency help.

Fortunately, such "side effects" are extremely rare. It is possible to minimize the risk by undergoing a thorough examination of the child before vaccination. An injection can be made only in the absence of acute inflammatory processes in the body.
Preventive vaccinations are much less dangerous than the disease itself. Diphtheria and tetanus are extremely dangerous infections, and there are no drugs that are 100% effective against them. Has a significant mortality rate.
The risk of developing adverse reactions is simply not comparable to the danger that disease carries.
When not to get vaccinated
In modern medicine, there are specific contraindications for vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus:
any manifestations of an acute form of the inflammatory process;
exacerbation of an allergic reaction;
congenital or acquired disorders of the central nervous system;
exacerbation of chronic diseases;

Possible side reactions most often appear when the vaccine is given to a child whose immunity is inhibited by external and internal factors, that is, against the background of the course of the disease. The opposite situation is also possible, when there is an overactive state of immunity, which externally manifests itself as an allergic reaction.
Doctors recommend vaccinating children during periods of "subsiding" of seasonal diseases and allergies. If the baby is prone to allergic reactions, on the eve of vaccination, it is necessary to refrain from eating allergenic foods, take antihistamines on the recommendation of a doctor, use exclusively hypoallergenic detergents for cleaning the house, washing children's dishes, and for hygiene use certified hypoallergenic cosmetics designed specifically for children.
When vaccinated
According to the modern calendar, diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations are given from three months of age. The frequency of injections is as follows: the first vaccination is done at three months, the second after 40 days, and the third after 40 days. Revaccination is carried out six months after the third injection.
Adults are given revaccination of ADS at the age of 28. At this point, the level of antibodies in the blood reaches the minimum level at which infection is possible.
Pregnant women are not vaccinated. The risk of contracting tetanus during childbirth is significant.

That is why doctors insist that all vaccinations must be done at the stage of pregnancy planning.
How is the vaccine done?
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough is given to children in the area of the upper thigh. At the time of the introduction of medications, the mother takes the child in her arms, firmly fixing the baby's leg.
Adults are injected into the shoulder of the "non-working" hand. Serum is injected slowly, allowing the drug to be distributed normally. The very moment of the injection is very painful, it gives the baby a lot of stress.

Having received an injection of the vaccine, babies show anxiety, which is due to the pain syndrome experienced by stress. But despite the child's protest, there is a need to stay near the clinic for the next 20-30 minutes in order to make sure that there is no allergic reaction. After being examined by a doctor, you can safely go home.