Kill the virus

You can get vaccinated today even at metro stations

Irina Nevinnaya, Rossiyskaya Gazeta

An annual flu prevention campaign has begun in the country. In Moscow, for example, you can get vaccinated literally on the run – mobile "offices" are located near metro stations.

And yet many doubt: how reliable will the protection be? The head of the Laboratory of Vaccinoprophylaxis and Immunotherapy of allergic Diseases of the Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums named after him answered the questions of the readers of "RG". Mechnikov Professor Mikhail Kostinov.

– We are so actively campaigning to be vaccinated that many have something like rejection: they say, they lived before without vaccinations, and nothing. Why do I need a vaccination?

Mikhail Kostinov: Everyone has the right to decide for himself: should I get vaccinated or not. No one is forcing anyone. But! Life has already shown us more than once what the flu is. You say: you used to live without vaccinations. But let's remember the "Spaniard" of 1918-1919, when, according to various estimates, from 50 to 100 million people died. In 1957, during the epidemic of the "Asian flu" (strain H2N2), 2 million people died. 1968, the epidemic of the "Hong Kong flu". Only in the USA 34 thousand people died then. We can also recall the pandemic of 1976-1978, which began in the USSR, it was called the "Russian flu". Finally, recent stories: the "bird flu" of 2003, some of its strains led to almost 100% death. The swine flu pandemic in 2009-2010 also turned into a tragedy for many.

Therefore, for us, specialists, this question is not even worth defending ourselves or hoping that it will "carry through". And to convince ardent "anti-vaccinators", to be honest, it is very difficult. But when an illness happens and, God forbid, a serious complication occurs, then a person begins to reason differently.

– Is it possible to get sick immediately after the vaccination?

Mikhail Kostinov: Yes, you can. But not because of the vaccination, but if it was done when a person had already caught the virus or became infected shortly after vaccination. It takes at least two weeks to produce antibodies that protect against a specific virus. That's why we recommend getting vaccinated as early as possible – without waiting for autumn colds.

As for the question of whether the vaccine itself can cause the disease, the answer is: never in my life. This is excluded because the vaccine does not contain a "live" virus. We vaccinate with "inanimate" vaccines. There is no DNA or RNA virus in them, but only fragments, protein particles of different flu strains. They cannot cause the disease in principle, but the body reacts to their presence after vaccination. It begins to produce antibodies, which, in fact, will provide us with protection if a "live" virus enters the body.

– What types of vaccines exist, what is the difference between them?

Mikhail Kostinov: Scientists are constantly looking for new ways of protection, creating better vaccines. For example, a combined influenza vaccine has been registered in Russia for 20 years, which includes a special adjuvant auxiliary substance that enhances its effect. As a result, you can reduce the dose during vaccination, and the effect will not be less. There are no such vaccines in the world, especially considering its safety, yet. Here we were ahead of everyone. In general, the immunogenicity of all available vaccines – both Russian–made and imported - is about the same. Anyone can be vaccinated.

– Why are imported vaccines offered in commercial clinics more expensive than domestic ones?

Mikhail Kostinov: The cost of the vaccine is affected not only by its contents, so to speak, but also by the dosage form. If it's just in ampoules, it will cost less. If packaged in a syringe, it is clear that it is more expensive. Here we are talking more about the convenience of use. In addition, imported vaccines are more expensive due to additional costs - delivery, customs duties, etc. In terms of effectiveness, all vaccines work about the same.

– Why do you need to be vaccinated every year?

Mikhail Kostinov: The flu virus is mutating. Experts around the world are constantly monitoring his "movement" and how he "behaves". Every year in February – March, WHO selects three strains based on these forecasts, which it recommends for vaccination in the next season. Based on these recommendations, a vaccine of a certain composition is produced.

– How do you feel about the Moscow initiative – vaccinations at metro stations?

Mikhail Kostinov: I'm fine. This is a real opportunity to strengthen the vaccination coverage of healthy adults who are all working, who have no time to go to polyclinics. If doctors, teachers, transport and housing workers are vaccinated necessarily, then commercial enterprises, unfortunately, rarely vaccinate in the workplace.

– Now the children have gone to kindergartens and schools, colds have started, how to choose the right moment for vaccination?

Mikhail Kostinov: There is a general rule: if a child has had ARVI, the vaccination is carried out 2-4 weeks after recovery, depending on how seriously he was ill. If the malaise was mild, it is possible in a week. The same rule applies to adults.

– Vaccinations are also recommended for the elderly. But they have a "bouquet" of sores, they take a lot of medications, including those that affect the immune system (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies). Is it possible to get vaccinated in such cases?

Mikhail Kostinov: Our approach is not quite right: for some reason we believe that vaccinations are given exclusively to healthy people. Although first of all it should protect the weakened people. Therefore, we recommend vaccinating half-year-old babies, pregnant women, the elderly, and chronically ill. The autoimmune diseases you asked about are by no means a hindrance. Competent rheumatologists know this and recommend their patients to get vaccinated.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  23.09.2016