In conditions of martial law, not all people have access to medical services, and at the same time, the risks of contracting infectious diseases increase. Immunization is perhaps the most effective method to protect yourself and your children from serious diseases and their consequences.
Vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus is started in early childhood - according to the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 16.06.2011 No. 595 (as amended), registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 10.10.2011 under No. 1159/19897. In the future, revaccination should be done every ten years.
In adulthood, revaccination is carried out every 10 years without age restrictions. The state purchases all vaccines included in the National Immunization Schedule, and you can get them free of charge. All you need to do is contact your family doctor.
Diphtheria manifests itself in the form of sore throat, during which films form in the throat, making breathing difficult. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, and household items can also be transmission factors: dishes, toys, etc.
When the diphtheria bacterium enters the respiratory system, it produces a toxin that enters the bloodstream and affects various organs, most often the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. Antidiphtheria serum and antibacterial therapy are used to treat diphtheria. Even with timely treatment, about 20% patients die.
Tetanus affects the nervous system and causes severe convulsions, which can sometimes lead to bone fractures, swallowing problems, and severe pain.
Tetanus can be contracted by getting dirt into a wound or cut, by being bitten by an animal, or by being injured by sharp objects or pieces of wood. For example, a child can become infected by getting hurt by a nail or a fence, or by scratches that get soil. The prognosis for the disease is poor. Even with emergency resuscitation and surgical intervention, the mortality rate is 25-80%. Death usually occurs due to spasm of the respiratory muscles and paralysis of the heart muscle.
Answers to frequently asked questions:
Vaccination at an early age is done with the DPT vaccine - a polyvalent vaccine that includes diphtheria and tetanus toxoids for the prevention of diphtheria and tetanus and a pertussis component for the prevention of whooping cough. In this case, vaccines with both acellular (AaTPT) and whole-cell (DPT) pertussis components can be used. This three-component vaccination will help to form immunity to three diseases at once!
• Vaccinations for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are given four times by age: at two months (first), at four months (second), at six months (third) and at 18 months (fourth). A history of pertussis in a child's history is not a contraindication to vaccination against this disease, which can be given to children up to 6 years 11 months 29 days.
• The next vaccination, the ADP vaccine, is given at the age of six – this is a revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus, since this vaccine does not contain a pertussis component.
• The sixth vaccination is given at the age of 16 with the ADP-M vaccine (with a reduced content of diphtheria and tetanus antigens).
• In the future, every ten years an adult should renew his protection against diphtheria and tetanus. To do this, you should contact your family doctor for revaccination with ADP-M toxoid. It is advisable to get vaccinated in a timely manner within the deadlines specified in the Calendar to ensure a guaranteed level of immunity.
Chuhuyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention"«