Among innovations that are currently the subject of public discussion, implementation of HPV vaccination (human papillomavirus), change of vaccine for vaccination against polio, changes to the vaccination schedule against measles, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.
What are the main changes planned to be made to the National Vaccination Calendar?
Hepatitis B vaccination
It is proposed to carry out routine preventive vaccinations of children against hepatitis B at the age of 2 months (1st dose), 4 months (2nd dose), 6 months (3rd dose) and 18 months (4th dose) regardless of body weight at birth. Such a scheme will allow the use of modern combined vaccines against several infectious diseases at the same time (DPT+IPV+Hib+HBV), which will ultimately reduce the number of injections for the child and the number of visits to the medical facility. Currently, vaccination against viral hepatitis B is carried out separately according to the scheme: on the 1st day, and then at 2 and 6 months. “No one likes when there are many injections. Reducing the number of injections for children increases the commitment of their parents to vaccination. Scientists are unanimous in the fact that the use of multicomponent vaccines is safe and effective,” says the head of the NTGEI Fedir Lapiy.
Vaccination against tuberculosis
Vaccination against tuberculosis is recommended to be carried out 24 hours after birth before discharge from the maternity hospital with the BCG vaccine.
Children under nine months of age (8 months inclusive) are offered the opportunity to be vaccinated against tuberculosis without a prior tuberculin skin test/interferon gamma release test if there is no known contact with a person with tuberculosis. “This will allow for more efficient use of available resources and reduce the length of stay of infants in hospitals, where they may encounter bacterial infections. In the world, the administration of the BCG vaccine on the first day of life is standard practice,” explains Fedir Lapiy.
Vaccination against poliomyelitis
Vaccination of children for the prevention of polio is proposed to be carried out at the age of 2 months (1st dose), 4 months (2nd dose), 6 months (3rd dose), 18 months (4th dose) and 6 years (5th dose). For the prevention of polio, for all doses administered, only inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is planned to be used.
Vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella
Vaccination of children for the prevention of measles, mumps and rubella is carried out at the age of 12 months (1st dose) and at 4 years (2nd dose). Given the risk of measles outbreaks, this scheme provides protection for children at an earlier age, prevents severe disease and the development of complications. “Unfortunately, in Ukraine, the incidence of measles among preschool children is increasing. The proposed scheme is closer to world practice, when the second dose of the MMR vaccine is administered earlier and provides optimal protection for this age cohort,” comments Fedir Lapiy.