Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) continue to remain a serious public health problem for most countries of the world. Every year in Russia, these infections affect from 10 to 40% of the entire population. The economic damage from influenza epidemics amounts to tens of billions of rubles.
Seasonal influenza epidemics are caused by two types of virus — A and B, while type C is the cause of sporadic cases of infection. Influenza viruses of types A and B constantly undergo changes in the surface antigens — hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which is regarded as evolutionary adaptability and makes them difficult to recognize and eliminate by the human immune system. The high variability of the influenza virus requires regular updating of the composition and development of new vaccines. This is a rapidly developing field of science and technology, with the development of a whole range of projects aimed at creating vaccines: based on cell cultures, genetically engineered live influenza vaccines, construction of viral particles using reverse genetics methods, etc.
Vaccination against influenza is an important area of medical science and practical healthcare.
Recently, the quality of vaccine products has significantly improved, and their range has expanded. Controlled studies have shown that immunization with modern influenza vaccines is the only scientifically grounded, effective, and affordable method of mass prevention of influenza. It has been established that timely vaccination against influenza prevents illness from influenza by 70–90% among healthy people younger than 65 and reduces the likelihood of hospitalization due to pneumonia and other complications of influenza by 30–70% among older people (over 65 years old).
Who especially needs vaccination:
people at high risk of post-influenza complications (people over 65, as well as adults and children suffering from chronic cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, chronic kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiencies);
people who, by virtue of their profession, are especially at risk of contracting influenza (medical staff of healthcare institutions, social workers, teachers);
all those who want to avoid the unpleasant consequences caused by influenza (entrepreneurs, students, athletes, and people going on a business or tourist trip).
Influenza vaccination is usually carried out annually from October to November.
Immunity development and the production of antibodies against the influenza virus occur 2 weeks after vaccination.
What are the contraindications to vaccination:
- allergic reactions to a previous vaccination, to vaccine components — chicken protein;
- acute febrile conditions;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- adrenal gland diseases;
- hereditary and degenerative diseases of the nervous system;
Several vaccines for the specific prevention of influenza are registered in Russia. All of them are produced in accordance with both international and Russian recommendations that take into account the strain composition of circulating influenza viruses. Currently, 2 types of vaccines are used for influenza prevention — inactivated and live influenza vaccines.
In the vaccination rooms of medical institutions, vaccination of individuals and organized groups is carried out against:
influenza with domestic and imported vaccines (pre-filled syringe), adapted to the influenza virus strain predicted for the upcoming season.
Vaccines:
Vaxigrip (France) — 1 time per year IM
Influvac (Netherlands) — 1 time per year IM
Agrippal (Italy) — 1 time per year IM
Grippol (Russia) — 1 time per year IM