Vaccinations at 4 months: vaccination schedule, preparation and procedure, possible reactions, advice from pediatricians

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

According to the federal law of the Russian Federation No. 157, every citizen, as well as a stateless person, but residing in the country, has the right to free vaccination. In addition, all persons may legally refuse to be vaccinated. If teenagers over 15 make their own choices, then parents decide for younger children. In any case, for immunization, a person must fill out a consent or refusal form.

What is a vaccine?

Vaccination is the introduction of weakened viruses into the human body as part of immunobiological drugs. The injected drug contributes to the fight of he althy cells of the body with infected ones. By defeating weakened microbes, the immune system will become stronger and the body will be able to resist real diseases.

Any vaccination, at 4 months or at 1, does not guarantee that a person will not get the infection that causedvaccination. But immunoprophylaxis can ease the course of the disease, speed up the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of side effects.

Many vaccines are a mixture of vaccines that are injected together.

Based on their focus, vaccines are divided into groups:

• Viral - from rubella, mumps, hepatitis, polio, measles, etc.
• Bacterial - against tuberculosis, tetanus, whooping cough, etc.

Immunization can be planned - one that is done according to a schedule of 7 days, 1, 3, 4 months.

Vaccinations in the event of an epidemic are given to everyone who is at risk of infection.

Some vaccines develop long-term immunity to viruses, while others require several stages of vaccination in order for the body to receive enough antibodies to fight. If the level of antibodies gradually decreases, a second procedure will be introduced - revaccination.

Russian vaccination calendar

In Russia, there is a schedule of immunoprophylaxis, which gives the average rate of vaccine administration to children. It was approved by the Ministry of He alth in 2007. Naturally, one cannot be guided strictly by this provision, each case is individual, the parent has the right to do one type of vaccination, but not agree to another. Whenever possible, it is worth adhering to the age at which the vaccine is recommended.

The time intervals between vaccinations are important. Intervals and schemes for the introduction of complex vaccines are observed, as with timelyimmunoprophylaxis. Do not give the next vaccination less than 2 weeks after the previous one!

What vaccinations are given at 4 months?

Growing up, the baby communicates more and more with the outside world. For this reason, he becomes more susceptible to the risks of contracting any infection. If there are no contraindications, a series of vaccines is recommended.

Vaccinations at 4 months are performed, as in 3, from 4 diseases:

• Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is accompanied by inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract, including a violation of normal breathing and damage to the mucous membranes of the throat. Contacting with a sick person, a he althy person will become infected with a probability of 90%. There is no innate immunity from this type of disease, but after recovery, the body acquires protection for the rest of its life. This infection is especially dangerous for children under 2 years of age.
• Diphtheria is a dangerous infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, and sometimes the skin, visual and genital organs. Diphtheria is dangerous due to the toxin that the diphtheria bacillus secretes. This bacterium poisons the body, disrupting the nervous, cardiovascular and excretory systems. Children between the ages of 3 and 7 are particularly at risk.
• Tetanus is an infectious disease affecting humans and all warm-blooded animals. It develops from getting into open wounds of the bacteria Clostridium tetani. It is also present in the intestines of humans and animals, but does not harm the host there. The virus is not dangerous if swallowedthe pathogen produces a strong toxin in the blood. Mortality in this type of disease from all cases of infection is -80%, in children under one year -95%.
• Polio is a disease that puts the main risk of children under 5 years of age. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted in any way. The disease affects the back of the brain, causes paralysis of organs, most often the legs. Complete paralysis of the body can develop in a few hours. There is no cure for polio, even if life is saved, the consequences remain forever.

The first three diseases are treated with a complex vaccine called DTP. Adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccination at 4-5 months is repeated, the first immunization is carried out at 3 months. DTP is the most difficult childhood vaccine, causes many allergic reactions, the child must be he althy before the procedure. But it protects against three deadly diseases, so consent to it is more than justified. In the presence of intolerance, DPT can be replaced with an imported analogue.

The polio vaccine is administered in two ways: intramuscularly and by mouth. At 4 months, the vaccine is usually injected into the muscle through a syringe.

A total of 3 vaccinations through the muscle and 3 revaccinations in the form of drops.

Preparation

In order for immunoprophylaxis to go smoothly at any childhood, it is best to prepare and not neglect elementary methods of protection. This will help protect the baby from possible unpleasant complications.

Outdepending on which vaccinations are given at 4 months, the preparation process is almost identical:

1. Children prone to allergies are required to use antihistamines 2-3 days before the procedure. Non-allergic people are also recommended to take these medicines.
2. Before the first DTP, a general blood and urine test should be taken to make sure that the indicators allow for vaccination and there is no hidden inflammatory process. If possible, it is recommended to take tests before each vaccination.
3. No new complementary foods should be introduced a week before the planned procedure, nursing mothers should not eat new or allergic foods.
4. If during early examinations the baby had any deviations from he alth, it is necessary to re-visit the specialist who established this. The doctor will give his opinion and give recommendations regarding the timeliness of the injection.
5. Painkillers can be given a few hours before the vaccine is given.



This will not only reduce the likelihood of a rise in temperature, but also relieve the patient of unpleasant pain, especially after DPT.

6. Before going outside, you should measure the child's temperature, eliminating even small increases. The child must be dressed for the weather so that he does not freeze and does not overheat on the way home.
7. A visit to the pediatrician is required immediately before vaccination.



A pediatrician should, based on tests and his own examination, giveconclusion on the possibility of vaccinating a child. The parents always have the last word.

Procedure

A weakened virus, getting into the body, wakes up "he althy cells", prepares them for future possible diseases. To destroy infectious antibodies, the immune system produces special substances. After that, a person becomes the owner of immunity from viruses of a particular disease.

The vaccine is administered in several ways: most often intramuscularly, but also intradermally, subcutaneously, cutaneously. Some of them are instilled into the nose or mouth.

The second DPT shot at 4 months is done in the muscle, just like the first time. Most often, the injection is carried out in the front of the thigh, less often in the buttock.

This inoculation is painful, and if it fails, a bump may occur. During the procedure, it is important to hold the baby firmly so that he does not turn his head or wave his arms. Otherwise, he may get hurt.

What vaccine at 4 months from polio will be on the bill? This will be the second injection; before that, a similar procedure was due at the age of 3 months. The timing of the immunization may be shifted, but one condition is important: a period of 45 days must be maintained between the first three vaccines. If the intervals are more than this period, then the course is not interrupted, but in any case continues.

After three vaccines, the revaccination course begins. According to the Russian vaccination calendar, it is performed at the age of 18, 20 months and at 14years.

Vaccination against polio can be done by intramuscular injection using killed microbes. Oral live attenuated poliovirus is also an option.

After treatment

The introduction of any vaccine is a great stress for the body, which is why it is given only to absolutely he althy children. Immediately after the procedure, you can not leave the medical facility, you must wait at least half an hour. During this time, the state and behavior of the child is monitored.

After vaccination at 4 months, it is not recommended to walk on the same day, the baby's body has already received a heavy load and is busy developing immunity. The next day after the introduction of the vaccine through the mouth, in the absence of negative reactions, you can go outside with the child. It is advisable to avoid visiting crowded places.

If after adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccination at 4 months the temperature does not rise and there are no allergic reactions, then on the second day after the injection of the child, the child can be taken out into the fresh air. The walk should be no more than an hour, at a comfortable temperature and favorable weather conditions.

Regardless of what kind of vaccination a child has at 4 months, when administered intramuscularly, you can not swim for three days after it. If the weather is especially hot and there are no negative reactions, the baby can be rinsed with water at room temperature. The main thing is not to steam the injection site.

When attenuated infectious agents are administered orally, do not eat for one hour after the procedure.

Possible reactions of the childfor vaccinations at 4 months

At 4-4, 5 months, a second course of immunoprophylaxis is usually performed, so that the child's parents are already aware of what kind of reaction to expect from a particular vaccine. But even in he althy children with no contraindications, reactions can be observed. Many of them are considered normal and mean that the body is successfully fighting the introduced microbes:

• One of the most common reactions in a 4-month-old baby is fever after DTP and polio injections when injected with a syringe. But with a slight increase, you should not worry, you can give an antipyretic to reduce the heat.



If the temperature is above 38.5 and does not decrease with medication, it is better to see a doctor.

• In addition to the temperature, after vaccination at 4 months, babies have an allergic reaction. It is accompanied by a rash, redness of the skin. Most often, DPT, which has a complex composition, is to blame for this.
• When an inactivated vaccine is administered, there may be induration and redness at the injection site, as well as swelling in the form of a bump. Helps iodine mesh and cabbage leaf application.
• Often, children experience drowsiness, apathy and lack of appetite after difficult vaccinations. This behavior is considered normal and will pass in 2-3 days.
• In some cases, there may be a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, vomiting.

Contraindications

It is forbidden to administer any vaccine if the child is sick, even if there is only snot. Period fromthe time of the last illness should be at least 2 weeks. Also, vaccination is not allowed in the presence of diarrhea or vomiting.

What vaccine should not be given at 4 months if there are problems with the nervous system? This is DPT, its anti-pertussis component is of particular danger. Sometimes in such situations, the doctor prescribes the ATP vaccine.

If a severe allergic reaction was observed after such a vaccine, then it is necessary to refuse it or replace it with a more gentle one. It is worth focusing on an increase in temperature above 38.5 degrees, swelling at the injection site.

If the baby has a congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, it is required to refuse vaccination, as such children have very unstable reactions to vaccinations.

Oral polio vaccine is not recommended for babies with chicken protein intolerance.

Differences between Russian and imported funds

If the baby had negative and severe reactions at the first stage of vaccination, it is natural that the mother next time will want to protect him from this. Foreign-made vaccines can help to avoid after vaccination at 4 months of temperature and allergies. Imported drugs have a reduced reactogenicity, when children use them, allergic reactions are less common, but at the same time, their immunity fades faster after a planned injection.

Imported one-component drugs for poliomyelitis - Poliorix, Imovax Polio. DTP substitutes - Pentaxim, Infanrix Hexa,"Tetraxim" - multicomponent, one vaccine can be vaccinated against polio, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.

Another significant difference between domestic and imported drugs is the price. Russian vaccines are provided free of charge within the framework of the Law on Immunoprophylaxis of Infectious Diseases. And, for example, a dose of Pentaxim costs 2,300 rubles, which is not affordable for everyone.

The use of a foreign drug does not guarantee the absence of allergic reactions.

Is it necessary to get vaccinated?

Medical specialists and just mothers of babies do not stop discussing whether there is a real need for vaccination? Preschools and schools now accept children without a vaccination certificate, but still, pediatricians are trying to persuade parents to immunize.

Whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and polio are deadly diseases for which infants are a potential risk group. The final decision is up to the parents, but if there are no absolute contraindications, then immunization is recommended.

Vaccination does not give a full guarantee of immunity, but a child 4 months after vaccination will much more easily endure the disease without being at risk of death. In case of a severe reaction, it is worth paying attention to foreign medicines.

The he alth of a child is priceless, it is in the first year of life that it is especially weak and is subjected to numerous attacks. The task of parents is to take care of the timely andcomprehensive he alth care, including vaccinations. The he alth you build now will be the backbone of the little man for life.