A two-month-old baby is noticeably different from a newborn. The baby becomes strong, mobile, shows positive and negative emotions, and also responds to treatment. The child grows, and along with him the risk of dangerous diseases increases. Therefore, parents have to visit the doctor monthly for immunization.
If all vaccinations were given according to plan, then by two months the newborn is already protected from tuberculosis and hepatitis B. However, this protection needs constant support, so revaccination is required according to the schedule.
Why vaccinate at 2 months?
The main purpose of administering vaccines to a two-month-old baby is to protect against dangerous diseases. During immunization, a weakened type of infection is introduced. The immune system recognizes the “stranger” and produces protective substances against it – antibodies. From this moment on, the child’s body knows what the pathogen looks like and how it can be dealt with. If in the future the baby encounters an infection, the immune system will remember the “stranger” and send antibodies in response to his attack. In this way, the body learns to protect itself from dangerous and not so dangerous diseases.
The second reason explaining the need for vaccinations comes down to the ineffectiveness of medications against dangerous pathogens. Using the example of viral hepatitis, it can be argued that preventing its occurrence is much easier than curing it later. Despite the great capabilities of modern medicine, many diseases are treated symptomatically. This means that medications relieve bothersome symptoms, but do not affect the disease itself. As a result, the risk of complications that often occur in modern children increases.
By getting vaccinations at 2 months, parents will make life easier not only for their baby, but also for themselves. The baby's body will develop strong immunity against fatal diseases. It is important to consider that many vaccinations require revaccination, so the immunization that has started must be completed.
Vaccination against pneumococcal infection
Until a few years ago, this vaccine was not administered to children. However, in 2014, changes were made to the vaccination calendar. It was decided to make vaccination against pneumococcus mandatory and finance it from the budget. This made it possible to protect children from dangerous diseases caused by this pathogen.
Many parents mistakenly believe that pneumococcal serum protects against pneumonia (pneumonia). However, this is not the only disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. Immunization protects against all types of infectious processes caused by pneumococcus:
- otitis;
- meningitis;
- sinusitis;
- rhinopharyngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- bronchitis and others.
Previously, broad-spectrum antibiotics were used to combat pneumococcal infection. The penicillin series was considered one of the most effective. However, in recent years, resistance to these drugs has become increasingly common in young children. In addition, many are intolerant to penicillins. Therefore, a vaccine against pneumococcal infection is the best choice for a child. The serum forms lasting immunity, prevents infection, and also virtually eliminates the need to use antibiotics in case of accidental contact with a pathogen.
Vaccine names
In immunology, two types of vaccines against pneumococcal infection are used:
- Synflorix is a Belgian drug that is used to immunize young children;
- Prevenar 7 or 13 is an American serum used for immunization of the population without age restrictions.
Pneumo 23 vaccine against pneumococcal infection , but it is used only in adults and children over 2 years of age.
How is vaccination tolerated?
The first vaccination against pneumococcus is given to children at 2 months. Before this, the child does not encounter this pathogen. Therefore, the body may respond with an unusual reaction to contact with the serum. The most common side effects in children are:
- increase in body temperature to 38-38.5 degrees;
- slight enlargement of lymph nodes on the body;
- increased tearfulness;
- loss of appetite;
- drowsiness;
- pain at the injection site and slight swelling.
The ailments persist for 2-3 days, after which they go away on their own. Parents should first discuss possible reactions to vaccination with their pediatrician. The doctor will tell you what to expect from immunization at 2 months and what available means can be used to alleviate the baby’s condition.
Many parents are afraid to vaccinate against pneumococcus at 2 months, since the vaccine has been introduced relatively recently (since 2014). However, the drugs have proven themselves to be good, because their use significantly reduces the risk of contracting dangerous infections.
What vaccinations are given to children at 1 year of age and where?
The first year of a baby's life is the most difficult and eventful. You have to constantly visit the pediatrician. Either just a routine examination or another vaccination. And parents often feel that there will be no end to these trips to the clinic. And if up to a year, vaccination is done often, especially in the first six months. Then after 12 months you will only have to visit the vaccination office three times.
What vaccinations are given to children at 1 year of age and where? At this age, vaccination against measles, rubella and mumps is carried out.
It should be noted that a vaccinated child will not be a source of infection. The administered vaccine is safe for others. And those who have not had these illnesses should not be afraid of contacting a child. However, these drugs are safe for the baby himself. But it is necessary to have antipyretics and medications for allergic reactions at home.
The vaccination is done intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Most often it is injected into the shoulder, hip or subscapular region. It is important that the injection is made in a place where muscle tissue is well developed and the smallest layer of subcutaneous fat is present.
Why is the measles vaccine given at this age? Babies have residual protection against these diseases, which they receive from their mother. By about six months, the number of antibodies decreases significantly or disappears altogether. But studies have shown that only 60% of children vaccinated against measles have developed their own immunity. And at one year of age, immunity is formed in 100% of vaccinated patients. The body of children under five years of age is very susceptible to these diseases. Moreover, there are serious complications. Therefore, 1 year is the most optimal period for administering the measles-rubella-mumps vaccine.
If the vaccination was given at nine months of age, then the next vaccination should take place at 15-18 months. And you will have to be vaccinated 4-5 times, in accordance with the vaccination calendar. If the vaccination was given at the age of one, then the next time the measles vaccine will be administered only at 6 years of age and a total of 3-4 such vaccinations will be needed.
Therefore, it is very important to get vaccinated on time. Don't rush into it and don't delay it. The most favorable age for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is one year of age. But in some cases it needs to be done a month earlier, for example, if the child’s mother did not have her own immunity against these diseases.
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Hepatitis B vaccination
Many babies are not vaccinated against hepatitis B at 2 months. Immunization is needed for those children who are at risk:
- born from mothers with viral hepatitis;
- if the mother suffered from the disease in the 3rd trimester;
- during pregnancy, the woman was not examined for hepatitis and was not registered;
- the mother is addicted to drugs or was previously dependent on psychotropic substances;
- at least one family member suffers from acute or chronic viral hepatitis B.
What vaccines are used
The following drugs are used for immunization:
- Regevak B is an American drug;
- Recombinant yeast serum for hepatitis B DNA - produced by Microgen;
- Recombinant yeast vaccine - produced by Combiotech.
If desired, parents can refuse free vaccines and get vaccinated at medical institutions that provide paid services. In this case, it is proposed to buy English, Israeli or American serums. There are no undesirable consequences after vaccination against hepatitis B.
95% of children feel well and do not change their behavior. Only in 5% of cases does the baby experience increased drowsiness and worsened appetite.
What vaccinations do adults get?
Many people may think that they are completely healthy if they feel well.
It seems to them that there is no chance of infection by any means, since their immunity reliably protects the body from any harmful and dangerous microorganisms. This is an erroneous judgment. There are cases when people become infected completely unnoticed. It is in such situations that a vaccine may be required so that the disease proceeds mildly, without the development of unwanted complications.
It should be remembered that only mass vaccination can eradicate serious infections, thereby preventing the subsequent spread of pathologies. Nowadays, when refusal of vaccinations is not uncommon, some diseases are beginning to return. These include measles.
Vaccination schedules for those who have already been vaccinated in childhood and those who have not are fundamentally different. There are serums that must be administered to adults in the appropriate sequence.
Adults should definitely be vaccinated against diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, mumps, rubella, measles, chicken pox, hepatitis B, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis.
Contraindications to immunization
Parents can voluntarily refuse vaccinations at 2 months. To do this, you will need to write an official refusal indicating the validity period. If desired, immunization can be carried out after the specified time has passed.
It is also contraindicated to vaccinate at 2 months if:
- the baby has an elevated body temperature;
- During the examination, signs of respiratory diseases were found;
- less than 2 weeks have passed since recovery from a cold;
- the baby has an immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases;
- the baby was born prematurely, and his current condition does not allow vaccinations;
- intolerance to any component of the vaccine has been identified.
Before vaccinations are given at 2 months, you need to show your baby to the pediatrician and take a blood test. Only after an examination can the doctor sign permission for immunization or postpone the procedure.
