There is a scientific basis for why vaccinations are worth it. Why are vaccinations needed?

Should I vaccinate my child (Pros and Cons)

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Today, many parents are pondering the question: “Should I vaccinate my child?” A wide and very lively discussion on this topic took place in society. It is clearly possible to distinguish two groups of people who express a completely opposite opinion and defend it very aggressively, using various arguments, which most often are factors of emotional impact on the audience.

Should my child be vaccinated?

So, today in our society there is a group of people who believe that vaccinations for a child there is absolute evil, they bring only harm and no benefit - therefore, accordingly, there is absolutely no need to do them. In contrast, there is another group that proves not just the validity of vaccinations, but the need to comply with the timing of their administration according to the calendar. As you can see, both of these groups occupy extreme positions, one might say radical. However, it is obvious that both are wrong, since there are always many factors that must be taken into account when making a decision, as a result of which there is no single simple solution to a complex problem.

Of course, vaccinations are necessary because they protect children and adults from serious epidemics infectious diseases, outbreaks of which can kill from half to 2/3 of the entire population, as has happened more than once in history. On the other hand, it is impossible to unify all people and approach them with the same yardstick, since each person is individual. It is precisely because of the presence large quantity individual characteristics of each child cannot be considered the only vaccination calendar correct instructions, obligatory for execution in unchanged form. After all, every vaccine has indications and contraindications, as well as instructions for its use. Therefore, all the characteristics of the child should be taken into account, and if he has any contraindications to vaccination at this particular moment, then it is necessary to move the calendar and vaccinate, observing the medical principle of “Do no harm.” Nothing bad will happen if a child receives the necessary vaccines a little later than his peers.

Let's move on to the position of opponents of vaccinations, who see them as an absolute evil, invented especially for them. The main argument of this group of people is harmful effects vaccinations for the development of the child, both physical and mental. Unfortunately, vaccination, like any manipulation, is fraught with possible complications, which in reality are quite rare. But opponents of vaccinations argue that almost any child’s illness is associated with vaccines. Alas, this is not true. Human body It's not that simple. But a person is inclined to look for the simplest solution to problems, therefore, when a child develops a disease, it is much easier to consider the vaccine to be the culprit of all the troubles than to spend a long time, carefully and scrupulously understanding the phenomenon and finding out the true cause.

Typically, opponents of vaccinations use a number of arguments with which they try to have the strongest possible emotional impact on the listener. Therefore, in order to understand the problem, it is necessary to completely take control of emotions and be guided only by reason, since the heart is a bad adviser here. Of course, when parents are told that after vaccination a child can remain a “fool” for life, or become seriously ill, and some facts from medical histories are cited, any adult will be impressed. His emotions will be very strong. As a rule, there is distortion and presentation of information in the most negative way, without thoroughly clarifying the true causes of the tragedy.

After such strong emotional shocks, many people will think: “Really, why these vaccinations, when they cause such complications!” Such a decision under the influence of strong momentary emotions is wrong, since no one guarantees that an unvaccinated child will not become infected with smallpox or diphtheria, which will become fatal for him. Another question is that it is necessary to take into account all aspects of the child’s condition and vaccinate when the baby is ready to undergo it without complications.

That is why we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most common arguments of opponents of vaccinations, and with scientific explanations of the phenomenon of immunity, so that your decisions are reasonable and balanced, based on reasoning, and not on blind statements. Below are the arguments of opponents of vaccinations under the heading “against”, and the explanations of scientists and doctors for each statement under the heading “for”.

Vaccinations for children - pros and cons

Against. Anti-vaxxers argue that many people have their own immunity against infections, which is completely destroyed after vaccination.

Behind. First of all, let's understand the concepts. In this statement, the word "immunity" is used as a synonym for immunity to disease. There is confusion between the concepts of “immunity to diseases” and “immunity”, which for many people are synonymous, which is incorrect. Immunity is the totality of all cells, reactions and systems of the body that identify and destroy pathogenic microbes, foreign cells and cancer cells. And immunity to diseases is the presence of resistance to a specific infectious agent.

Of course, a person is born with immunity, in the sense that he has cells and reactions that ensure the destruction of microbes. However, not a single newborn is immune to severe and contagious infections. Such immunity to a certain infection can only develop after a person has had it and recovered, or after the administration of a vaccine. Let's look at how this happens.

When a pathogenic microbe, the causative agent of infection, enters the human body, he becomes ill. At this time, special cells of the immune system, called B lymphocytes, approach the microbe and find out about it " weak spots", relatively speaking. After such acquaintance, B lymphocytes begin to multiply, and then actively synthesize special proteins called immunoglobulins, or antibodies. These antibodies interact with infectious microorganism, destroying it.

The problem is that each pathogenic microbe requires its own special antibodies. In other words, antibodies developed against measles will not be able to destroy rubella, etc. After past infection A few antibodies to the pathogen remain in the human body, which become inactive and are called memory cells. It is these memory cells that determine immunity to infection in the future. The mechanism of immunity is as follows: if a microbe enters the human body, then there are already antibodies against it, they are simply activated, multiply quickly and destroy the pathogen, preventing it from causing infectious process. If there are no antibodies, then the process of their production takes some time, which may simply not be enough in the event of a serious infection, and as a result the person will die.

The vaccine allows the body to form such memory cells against dangerous infections without getting sick from them. To do this, weakened microbes are introduced into the body, not capable of causing an infection, but sufficient for B lymphocytes to react and be able to synthesize memory cells that will provide immunity to this pathology for a certain period.

Against. The child has a powerful immune system, so children who are healthy from birth can easily survive any infection, even during an epidemic.

Behind. The body does not have such powerful protective forces that will allow it to be completely resistant to infections, and in case of illness, to successfully endure it and recover. Even an adult does not have such powers. A classic example is the flu, which occurs every year. Moreover, you can be absolutely healthy, but during a flu epidemic you can get sick, so much so that you cannot move for a week. There are people who get sick from time to time, and there are people who suffer from the flu every year. IN in this example we're talking about about the flu - relatively safe infection, which, however, kills almost 25,000 people in Russia every year. And think about much more severe and incredibly contagious infections such as whooping cough, diphtheria, plague, smallpox, etc.

Against. The child has not yet fully developed immune system, and vaccinations interfere with the natural course of things and disrupt the formation of correct defense mechanisms against diseases. Therefore, vaccinations should not be given until the immune system is fully formed.

Behind. It is true that a child's immune system is not fully mature at birth, but it is divided into two important parts that should not be confused. So, there is a specific and nonspecific immunity. The child is not fully formed, only the mechanisms are not specific immunity, which are responsible for the destruction of pathogenic microbes on the mucous membranes, in the intestines, etc. It is the lack of nonspecific immunity that explains frequent colds child, his tendency to intestinal infections, long-term residual effects in the form of cough, runny nose, etc.

Nonspecific immunity protects our body from opportunistic microbes that are constantly present on the skin and mucous membranes. Opportunistic microbes are microorganisms that are normally present in the human microflora, but do not cause diseases. When nonspecific immunity decreases, then opportunistic microorganisms can cause a very serious infection. It is this phenomenon that is observed in AIDS patients, whose nonspecific immunity practically does not function, and they become infected with the most harmless microbes that normally live on the skin and mucous membranes of humans. But nonspecific immunity has nothing to do with the process of protecting the body from severe infections caused by infectious microbes.

Specific immunity is essentially the process of formation of antibodies by B lymphocytes, which has nothing to do with the mechanisms nonspecific protection. Specific immunity is aimed at destroying serious, infectious microbes, and nonspecific immunity is necessary so that we do not constantly get sick due to the presence of E. coli in the intestines or staphylococcus on the skin. And children are born with an insufficiently developed nonspecific immunity, but with a perfectly prepared specific one, which is fully formed and is just waiting, figuratively speaking, for a “combat mission.”

Vaccination is an action that is necessary to activate specific immunity. Therefore, vaccination in no way disrupts the processes of maturation, formation and establishment of nonspecific defense mechanisms. These are, as it were, two processes that proceed in parallel paths. In addition, vaccinations activate only one part of the immune system, during which antibodies are produced against one specific infection. Therefore, one cannot say that vaccination is a kind of bulldozer that destroys all the weak children's immunity. The vaccine has a targeted and targeted effect.

It is useful to know that the ability to synthesize antibodies develops in a child in the womb, but nonspecific immunity is finally formed only by the age of 5–7 years. Therefore, opportunistic microbes from the skin of the mother or father are more dangerous for the child than vaccinations. Normal operation nonspecific immunity is observed in children from 1.5 years of age, therefore, only starting from this age, vaccines are introduced that involve these mechanisms. Vaccines that involve nonspecific immunity include vaccinations against meningococcus (meningitis) and pneumococcus (pneumonia).

Against. If a child has safely lived to be 5 years old, his immune system is fully formed, then now he definitely does not need any vaccinations - he is already healthy and will not get sick.

Behind. In this statement, specific and nonspecific immunity are again confused. By the age of 5, a child’s nonspecific immunity is fully formed, but it protects him from simple microorganisms, such as E. coli, staphylococcus living on the skin, many bacteria that normally live in the oral cavity, etc. But nonspecific immunity is not able to protect a child from serious infections, the pathogens of which can only be neutralized by antibodies, that is, specific immunity.

Antibodies are not produced independently - they are produced only as a result of a meeting, so to speak, personal acquaintance of the B lymphocyte and the microbe. In other words, to develop immunity to serious infections, it is necessary to introduce the body to the microbe - the pathogen. To do this, there are two options: the first is to get sick, and the second is to get vaccinated. Only in the first case will the child become infected with full-fledged, strong microbes, and who will win during such an “acquaintance” is unknown, because, for example, 7 out of 10 children with diphtheria die. And when a vaccine is administered, it contains either completely dead pathogenic microbes, or significantly weakened ones, which cannot cause infections, but their entry is sufficient for the immune system to recognize them and produce antibodies. In a vaccine situation, we seem to play along with the immune system by introducing a previously weakened enemy who is easy to defeat. As a result, we obtain antibodies and immunity to a dangerous infection.

Antibodies cannot be formed without meeting a microbe, under any circumstances! This is the property of the immune system. Therefore, if a person does not have antibodies to any infection, then he can become infected at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 70 years old. Who wins the battle when infected with an active microbe depends on many factors. Of course, the immune system functions fully and has already developed by the age of five, but as historical epidemics of infectious diseases have shown, in two out of three cases the pathogenic microbe wins. And only one out of three survives and is subsequently immune to this infection. But a person cannot pass on these mechanisms by inheritance, so his children will be born again quite susceptible to infection dangerous diseases. For example, adults in third world countries where they do not vaccinate easily become infected and die from diphtheria, although their immunity is fully developed!

Against. It is better to get sick from childhood infections as a child than as an adult, when they are extremely poorly tolerated and difficult. We are talking about measles, rubella and mumps.

Behind. Of course, children tolerate these infections more easily than adults. And vaccination against them does not guarantee lifelong immunity; it is valid only for 5 years, after which it is necessary to vaccinate again. However, the following factors speak in favor of these vaccinations:

• possible infertility in boys after mumps;
• high incidence of arthritis after rubella in childhood;
• the risk of developing fetal deformities when a pregnant woman contracts rubella before 8 weeks.

However, after vaccination in childhood, it must be repeated. Therefore, if the child is not feeling well or there are other factors that suggest refusing vaccination, you can take them into account and postpone the prevention of these infections to a later date.

Against. There is no need to give DPT at three months, when at six years they give DPT-M, which contains a small dose of diphtheria particles. Let the child receive less "nasty."

Behind. The DPT-M vaccine is needed precisely at six years of age, provided that the child was vaccinated with DPT in infancy, since it alone is completely ineffective. In this case, you will not get the benefit of just one dose of ADS-M, so you may not need to take this vaccine at all. Injecting only ADS-M at age six is ​​a useless injection.
If for some reason a child does not have a vaccination against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria (DTP) by the age of six, then he is vaccinated according to the following schedule: 0 – 1 – 6 – 5. This means: the first vaccine - now, the second - after a month, the third - in six months, the fourth - in five years. At the same time, the first three vaccines are administered with DPT, and only the fourth, after five years, with ADS-M.

Against. Vaccine manufacturing companies just want to make more money, so they force everyone to take them, despite the harm, consequences and complications.

Behind. Of course, pharmaceutical companies are not strictly charities, but they shouldn't be. At one time, Louis Pasteur invented the smallpox vaccine not for fun and not because he really wanted to make money and turn everyone else into mentally retarded idiots. As we see, more than a hundred years have passed, people have stopped dying from smallpox, and mental retardation has not affected either Europe, America, or Russia.

Pharmaceutical concerns work; they do not engage in robbery and theft. Nobody accuses producers of, say, bread or pasta, because they want to make fools of everyone and profit from people, forcing them to buy their products. Of course, bakeries and pasta factories make a profit, but people can also buy food. It’s the same with vaccines – pharmaceutical factories make a profit, and people get protection from dangerous infections.

In addition, a lot of money is being invested in the development of new vaccines, the search for a cure for AIDS and other industries. Pharmaceutical companies annually provide many doses of the vaccine free of charge for vaccination campaigns in third world countries.

After all, if the stars light up, it means someone needs it! Russia has experience of refusing mass vaccination - this is the diphtheria epidemic observed in 1992 - 1996. At that time, vaccines were not purchased by the state, children were not vaccinated - that’s the result.

Against. There are thousands of examples that children who have been vaccinated get sick a lot and often, but those who are not vaccinated do not. In principle, an unvaccinated child tolerates all illnesses much easier. Many parents noticed this in their families - the first child with vaccinations was constantly sick, but the second did not have any vaccines - and nothing, only coughed a couple of times at most.

Behind. It's not about vaccinations here. Let's figure out why the first children who were vaccinated often get sick. Women often get married while pregnant, experience a lot of stress, and housing and financial problems are very acute. Again the food is not very good. Naturally, a child is not born in the most optimal conditions, which contributes to frequent morbidity. And then there are vaccinations...

They are planning a second child, the woman and man are preparing, as a rule, they have a job, stable income, solved material and housing problems. The nutrition of a pregnant and nursing mother is much better, the child is expected, etc. Naturally, with such different conditions the second child will be healthier, will get sick less, and vaccinations have nothing to do with it. But the parents had already decided: the first one was vaccinated, so he was sick, and the second one is healthy and does not get sick without any vaccines. It’s decided – we cancel vaccinations!

In fact, the reason is not vaccinations, but I don’t want to think about it. Therefore, before drawing the conclusion “if you have vaccinations, you get sick, if you don’t have vaccinations, you don’t get sick,” think and analyze all the factors. After all, we should not forget about the individual characteristics of the child. For example, there are twins that are completely different, one is weak and sickly, and the other is strong and healthy. Moreover, they live and develop in exactly the same conditions.

Against. Vaccines contain hazardous substances– viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, preservatives (particularly mercury), which cause serious complications in children.

Behind. The vaccine does contain both viral particles and bacteria, but they are not capable of causing an infectious disease. Since in order to develop immunity against a specific infection it is necessary to introduce the B lymphocyte and the microbe, the need for the presence of particles of the pathogenic microorganism in the vaccine is clear. It contains particles of viruses or bacteria, or killed pathogens, which simply carry characteristic antigens necessary for the introduction and production of antibodies by B lymphocytes. Naturally, a piece of a virus or a dead bacterium cannot cause an infectious disease.

Let's move on to preservatives and stabilizers. Largest quantity Formaldehyde and merthiolate raise questions.

At the vaccine production stage, formaldehyde is used, which large quantities causes cancer. This substance gets into vaccines in trace amounts, its concentration is 10 times less than what is produced by the body within 2 hours. Therefore, the idea that trace amounts of formaldehyde in a vaccine will lead to cancer is simply untenable. Much more dangerous drug Formidron, which also contains formaldehyde, is used to eliminate excessive sweating. By lubricating your armpits with Formidron, you risk absorbing much more through your skin. large doses dangerous carcinogen!

Merthiolate (thiomersal, mercurothiolate) is also used in developed countries. The maximum concentration of this preservative in the hepatitis B vaccine is 1 g per 100 ml, and in other preparations it is even less. Converting this amount to the volume of the vaccine, we get 0.00001 g of merthiolate. This amount of substance is excreted from the body on average 3–4 days. At the same time, taking into account the mercury content in the air of cities, the level of merthiolate administered with the vaccine is compared with the background level after 2–3 hours. In addition, the vaccine contains mercury in an inactive compound. And poisonous mercury vapors that can cause damage nervous system- this is a completely different matter.

There is an interesting study about mercury. It turns out that it accumulates in mackerel and herring in huge quantities. If you regularly eat the meat of these fish, they can lead to cancer.

Vaccinations for children: pros and cons - video

Should children be vaccinated strictly according to the calendar?

Of course not. Required individual approach with a thorough clarification of the child’s condition, studying the history of birth and development, as well as previous diseases. Since some conditions are a contraindication for immediate vaccination, which is postponed, depending on the situation, for six months, a year, or even two years. There is a situation when you can’t get one vaccination, but you can get another. Then you should postpone the contraindicated vaccine and give the approved one.

Parents often face the following problem. For example, the vaccination calendar for a child indicates that BCG is given first, followed by the polio vaccine. If the child has not been vaccinated with BCG, and the time has come to get vaccinated against polio, then nurses and doctors refuse to give polio without BCG! This behavior is motivated by the vaccination calendar, which clearly states: first BCG, then polio. Unfortunately, this is wrong. These vaccines are in no way related to each other, so you can get the polio vaccine without BCG. Most often, medical workers, especially in state medical institutions, religiously follow the letter of the instructions, often even to the detriment of common sense. Therefore, if you encounter similar problem, it is best to contact a vaccination center and get the necessary vaccination.

In principle, BCG is a prevention of tuberculosis, but if hygiene standards are observed and there is no contact with the patient, it is very difficult to become infected with it. After all, tuberculosis is a social disease, most often affecting people who are poorly nourished, have low resistance to disease, and live in unsanitary conditions. It is this combination that causes susceptibility to tuberculosis. To illustrate the nature of tuberculosis, how social disease, I’ll give two examples from personal practice.

First example. A boy from a quite decent family fell ill; his parents work, have a normal income, eat well, but the house is very dirty. Live in old apartment, who is 20 years old. Just imagine the living conditions of a child when the carpet in a large room has not been cleaned even once over the years! It was covered with a tarpaulin, which was simply shaken out when debris accumulated on it. The apartment was not vacuumed, only swept. Here the cause of tuberculosis was a clear neglect of cleanliness.

Second example. The combination of all factors favorable for tuberculosis infection occurs in places of detention. Therefore, tuberculosis is simply raging in correctional colonies and prisons.

In principle, it is intuitively clear to any competent doctor that vaccinations that were not given according to the schedule are administered according to indications and depending on the situation, but in no way according to the sequence available in the vaccination calendar for children. Therefore, the order of the calendar - BCG, then DPT, and only this way - of course, is not a strict sequence that is mandatory for execution. The different vaccines are not related to each other in any way.

Another question when it comes to the second and third introductions. When it comes to DTP, it is necessary to comply with the deadlines for the formation of full immunity to infections. In this case, the instruction that DTP is given three times with a one-month break between them is mandatory. Again, each instruction always states possible options- what to do if vaccinations are missed, how many more vaccines to administer and in what sequence. Sorry to explain this to you.

Finally, always remember that the presence of a birth injury or intestinal disorder on the eve of vaccination are contraindications for their administration strictly according to schedule. In this case, vaccination must be moved according to the requirements specified in the instructions for the vaccination case. For example, increased intracranial pressure in a child after childbirth leads to the need to postpone vaccinations, which can only be given a year after the pressure has normalized. And indigestion is a contraindication to the polio vaccine, which is postponed until full recovery and disappearance of signs of intestinal infection.

Are children required to be vaccinated?

Today in Russia, parents can refuse to vaccinate their children. Vaccination is not mandatory. But many child care institutions, such as kindergartens and schools, refuse to accept unvaccinated children. Parents often say: “Why should you be afraid? Your children are vaccinated, so if my child gets sick, he won’t infect anyone anyway!” This is of course true. But you shouldn’t be so arrogant without knowing the epidemiology.

When there is immunity to a disease in a human population caused by vaccinations, the causative agent of this infection does not disappear - it simply moves to other similar species. This happened with the smallpox virus, which is now circulating in the monkey population. The microorganism in such a situation can mutate, after which people will again become partially susceptible to it. First of all, unvaccinated people will become infected, and then those whose immunity has weakened, or for some reason they were susceptible to this changed microbe, despite vaccination. Therefore, a small percentage of unvaccinated people may be a disservice to everyone else.

Should children be vaccinated?

The answer to this question depends on the views of the parents, the willingness of people to think and, above all, the willingness to take responsibility for their decisions. In general, it is a personal decision for each person whether to get vaccinated or not. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

The head of the department for the prevention of infectious diseases of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Institute of Children's Infections of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia", Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Susanna Kharit, answers:

— There are reactions to the vaccine, and there are complications.

A reaction to the vaccine occurs in approximately 10-20% of children. What is this connected with? We introduce foreign substances - “killed” or weakened bacteria and viruses or “pieces of killed” microorganisms. The immune system responds by producing special proteins (they are called antibodies) and forming “killer” cells, which in the future, when encountering living pathogens, will protect the body from them. During these complex processes substances needed by the immune system are produced, which can cause fever and slight intoxication.

But it is important: reactions to vaccination always occur at a certain time.

Non-live vaccines

If we administer a vaccine that does not contain a live virus, a reaction occurs on the very first day and by the third day the child feels normal. But if malaise or fever appears later or lasts longer than 3 days, this is not a reaction to the vaccine; the child got sick at the same time as the vaccine, and you need to find out why.

Live vaccines

When we administer live vaccines - against measles, mumps, rubella - illness occurs from the 5th to the 14th day. Not on days 1-4!

The reaction to the vaccine goes away on its own and does not require treatment and does not leave any consequences. But, if the temperature is high (above 38-38.5°), you need to give the child an antipyretic, since at high temperatures children can be given convulsive states, and call a doctor to rule out some kind of disease. Heat after vaccinations occurs in 1-4% of children.

Swelling and redness may appear at the vaccination site; such reactions go away on their own within a few days.

And complications after vaccination are a serious situation, for example, a severe allergic reaction to the components of the vaccine. But, fortunately, they are rare. For example, anaphylactic shock occurs once per million doses, and urticaria occurs once per 30-50 thousand doses.

5 myths from anti-vaxxers

Public health and healthcare specialist Pavel Stotsko says.

Myth 1. Vaccinations cause disability

The Lancet journal published in 1998 the work of scientist Andrew Wakefield, who proved that vaccination causes childhood autism. But then it turned out that all this was not true - it was not only a substitution of concepts, but even falsification scientific work. Naturally, a refutation was published, but the wave had already begun. And until now, this “study” is the norm for anti-vaxxers.

It is worth understanding that there may indeed be cases of disability from vaccinations, but only in one case. This is not related to the vaccine itself or the antigen administered. Problems may arise if the rules for using the drug are violated, for example, the dosage is exceeded. For example, an untrained nurse takes up vaccination and confuses the amount of the injected product. The vaccination itself, provided that the vaccine is administered correctly and the person is not allergic, will not have any negative effect on the body and will not cause associated diseases.

Myth 2. Vaccinations contain the entire periodic table

Many are confident that the quality additional components a wide variety of substances are added to vaccines, including such deadly ones as mercury, formaldehyde, etc. But at the same time, opponents of vaccinations forget that we are talking about limits acceptable standards. So, each vaccine can really contain anything. But in doses acceptable for use in a living organism. There is mercury even in ordinary water, and no one is afraid of it or even thinks about it.

Myth 3. It’s better to get over the disease and develop natural immunity.

This is not the best solution. After all, it is enough to get seriously ill once to get extremely serious complications. Many of those pathologies that are considered childhood and are prevented by vaccinations are severe and deadly. In addition, it is worth understanding that we take the vaccine not in order to be 100% protected from the disease, but in order to avoid serious complications.

Myth 4. There are no deadly diseases in Russia

In Russia today there really are no such deadly infections as diphtheria, polio, and measles. But this is due solely to the fact that previously almost everyone was vaccinated. And now we are seeing a picture where, due to refusal to vaccinate, it is fatal dangerous pathologies are starting to come back.

Myth 5. Vaccination is a conspiracy of pharmaceutical companies for profit.

All the vaccines that are available National calendar vaccinations, found themselves there based on the results of a large number of studies, during which they carried out vaccination and revaccination, and also studied the titer of antibodies in the blood for several years and even decades. It is by the amount of this titer that the need for repeated vaccination and the duration of the body’s protection against infection are determined.

Pharmaceutical companies themselves must prove the safety and effectiveness of their drugs - and they spend a lot of money on this.

A simple way to strengthen your immune system

Remember that vaccinations are not a panacea. Even a vaccinated child benefits from physical education and hardening. And the biggest contribution to strengthening the immune system is proper nutrition. If you are a supporter natural products, remember about fish fat. Today, pediatricians are increasingly advising us to return to this simple means of improving children’s health.

Fish oil is a true superfood. It contains record quantities at once three useful immunity substances: omega-3, vitamin A and vitamin D. They increase the body’s ability to resist disease, and therefore reduce the frequency and severity of diseases in children.

With the onset of autumn, fish oil should be given to the child daily. It is especially important to adhere to this rule in the first three years of life, when the process of immunity formation is most active.

The article explains in detail what vaccination is, for what purpose it is carried out, what types of vaccinations there are, what such drugs are made of and why they are needed, and also lists possible complications after vaccinations. We will tell you what to pay attention to if the decision in favor of vaccination is made. The article also explains how immunity develops in children and what factors it depends on.

Since the issue of vaccination is actively discussed in the media and on TV and causes a lot of controversy, in our materials we introduce readers to all points of view - from the opinions of pediatricians and specialists from official medicine to categorical opponents of vaccination.

Vaccination or vaccination- This is the introduction of an antigen of pathogenic microorganisms into the body.

This substance is manufactured in the form of a special adapted material and is intended to acquire immunity to a specific disease.

Reference . Stability or resistance of the human body is the acquisition of immunity to pathogens of infectious diseases.

Why is vaccination needed?

Currently vaccinations are carried out:

1. For prevention purposes (vaccine-prophylactic measures).
2. For therapeutic, that is, medicinal purposes (vaccine therapy).

Live weakened pathogenic microorganisms (bacterial).

Official medicine considers this material to be the most effective, numbers are given (average data - no less than 10-15%), in comparison with vaccines made from non-living microbes (inactivated, that is, killed bacteria and viruses).

Properties and advantages of vaccines made from living microorganisms

• Capable of inducing more significant, long-lasting and intense immunity.
• Tolerability in comparison with an inactivated (non-living microbe) vaccine is almost the same.
• The advantage in favor of “non-live” vaccines is very slight (according to official data).
• Possibility of use due to the above qualities in preschool children.

Reference . Intense immunity is a concept that is characterized by the level of specific immunity acting in the body in relation to a given pathogenic infection. Qualitative indicators are assessed according to specific immunological reaction(For example, laboratory analysis blood for the determination of specific antibodies).

Such vaccines:

“Non-live, killed” vaccines (inactivated).

The goal is to achieve reliable inactivation properties while minimally damaging the structure of the antigens themselves.

Vaccines of chemical origin.

Includes antigens that are obtained primarily chemical methods with the release of protective specific proteins.

As is commonly believed, reliable immunity depends on such antigens. Production is accompanied by purification of antigens from ballast components. Pharmaceutical companies produce molecular vaccines using chemical synthesis or biosynthesis.

Anatoxins.

They are made from formalin-treated exotoxins of various pathogenic microorganisms that have not lost their immunogenic properties and have the ability to form antibodies (antitoxins).

Single drugs (monovaccine ).

Associated dosage forms( simultaneous vaccination effective against several types of infections, for example, di- and trivaccine).

New generation vaccines.

Since, as immunologists themselves admit, with the help of traditional modern vaccines it is not possible to successfully resolve the issue of effective preventive measures against a number of diseases, which is why the question of new types of drugs for vaccination is urgent.

These are diseases caused by pathogens that are difficult to cultivate in vivo and in vitro or are not cultivated at all.

Reference. in vivo and in vitro - literally means in a living organism and in a test tube.

It is now becoming possible to obtain so-called antigenic determinants (another name is individual epitopes). The agents do not have immunogenicity in a stand-alone state. For example, thanks to genetic technologies, it is possible to produce recombinant vector vaccinesat, which will include live cultures of non-pathogenic microbes. The genome of such microorganisms contains hereditary information from other pathogenic microbes.

Currently, yeast vaccines (hepatitis B) have already been obtained, a new drug against malaria has been developed, research is underway on vaccination against HIV, etc.

Vaccination for children. Indications

Vaccinations are:

1. Planned.
2. According to indications (epidemic factor).

IN different countries We use our own vaccination calendar (preventive vaccinations). This document prescribes planned mass vaccinations of the population, starting from infancy. Every country has a law that requires or allows for personal choice in this matter.

Child vaccination. What should parents pay attention to?

1. Storage conditions.
2. Transportation conditions.
3. Destruction of unused drugs.

Parents must ask whether the prescribed rules for storing and transporting vaccines were followed.

This is an indispensable condition, since if the temperature conditions during storage and transportation of drugs are violated, their effectiveness not only decreases, but their reactogenic properties often increase.

The result is a high percentage allergic reaction immediate type and collaptoid reactions.

It can develop in a few minutes and up to an hour and even after a few days.

Manifestations:

• hives;
• Quincke's edema;
• Lyell's syndrome;
• serum sickness;
• anaphylactic shock.

Attention! At hypersensitivity body (for example, to some drugs, including antibiotics, as well as to egg white) the likelihood of developing any type of allergy to the MMR vaccine (measles, rubella, mumps) increases.

If yeast intolerance is observed, vaccination with the appropriate injection (against hepatitis B) cannot be carried out.

Allergy in the form of urticaria. Symptoms:

• develops a few minutes or hours after injection;
• accompanied by itchy skin;
• manifests itself in the form of skin rashes.

Allergy in the form of urticaria

Lyell's syndrome. Symptoms:

• skin rash;
• the appearance of blisters;
• skin itching.

Develops within three days after vaccination.

Serum sickness. Symptoms:

• hives;
• Quincke's edema;
• fever;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• joint pain;
• enlarged spleen.

May develop in fourteen to twenty-one days.

Complications of serum sickness:

• renal dysfunction;
• diseases pulmonary system;
• disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract;
• diseases of the nervous system.

Anaphylactic shock. Symptoms:

• Quincke's edema;
• immediate drop in blood pressure;
• asphyxia (suffocation).

It develops either immediately or over the course of three to four hours and is an extremely dangerous condition that threatens life. In such cases, emergency antishock therapy is necessary.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the child after vaccination, especially the first 30-60 minutes. Vaccinations should only be carried out in a medical facility where, if necessary, they can provide qualified assistance. Treatment rooms are equipped with first aid kits with anti-shock medications.

Allergy to Mantoux occurs due to intolerance to tuberculin. Experts consider the reaction to a tuberculin injection to be one of the specific forms of allergy, since tuberculin is an allergen, not an antigen.

Attention! We would like to note the fact that the interaction between tuberculin, which has been actively used for many years, and the human immune system has not been fully studied.

Mantoux samples. What factors determine the body's reaction?

May have an impact:

• any food allergy;
• tendency to drug allergies;
• past infection (any);
• immunity to non-tuberculous mycobacteria;
• patient's age;
• nutritional characteristics (including lack of certain substances, vitamins, etc.);
• chronic form of the disease;
• infection with worms;
• unfavorable external factors;
• allergic dermatitis, etc. and so on.

Attention! Violation of the conditions of transportation and storage of tuberculin can have a significant impact on the test result.

Since compliance is required special systems(“cold chain”), which is a smoothly functioning chain with the provision of optimal temperatures at all stages without exception, the question of compliance with such conditions always and everywhere seems doubtful.

Please note that the “cold chain” with temperature conditions from 2 to 8 degrees should function, starting from the manufacturer and to the end point - the treatment room.

Disposal of unused vaccines

Anything that contains unused vaccine residues (ampoules and containers), as well as all instruments, should be boiled for an hour and specially treated with a 3-5% chloramine solution for 60 minutes, 6% hydrogen peroxide for one hour, or autoclaved.

Unused vaccines for some reason, as well as drugs with an expired shelf life, are sent for destruction (State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision centers).

Attention, parents! The physician who administers the vaccination must:

• Check labels.
• Study the labeling (on the packaging and ampoule)
• Read the expiration date information.
• Make sure the bottle (ampoule) is intact.

Attention! Vaccines should not be used if there are no labels, if they have expired, if the seal is broken, or if they have been altered in any way. appearance(color, presence of flakes, foreign inclusions, etc.)!

Entry into the body of a pathogenic infection. What happens when this happens? Immunologist explains

A pathogenic microorganism is considered to be an aggressive agent towards humans. Entering from the external environment, for example, through the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, microbes damage the cells of the mucous membranes themselves, and then begin to actively secrete the products of their vital activity. Tissue poisoning occurs with toxins. It does not matter whether it is a virus, bacteria or fungi.

The infection entered the body for the first time

Immunity has not been developed, so the infection is comfortable, but until it “gets” onto wandering leukocytes. From this moment the struggle begins.

The process can take place in several scenarios:

• Leukocytes kill microbes immediately, the disease does not develop at all.
• The destruction of the “enemy” begins after some time, when microorganisms have already managed to multiply to one degree or another. At this stage, there is damage to human tissue cells, poisoning by toxins, development of the inflammatory process, that is, the formation of one or another infectious disease.
• An infectious disease is accompanied by the active proliferation of pathogenic microflora and a struggle where the question is “who will defeat whom.”
• When an infectious disease occurs, the human immune system produces special protective proteins - antibodies. The task of antibodies is to catch and neutralize the enemy, bind and neutralize all toxins released by microbes during this period.
• A favorable course of the disease is characterized by good functioning of the immune system, which, with the help of leukocytes and specific proteins (antibodies), deals with the aggressive agent. The result is that the disease ends, damaged tissue are restored, immunity is acquired (persistent or temporary).

How long are antibodies present in the body?

After an infectious disease, antibodies remain in the blood:

1. For a long period.
2. For life.

A new ingestion of exactly the same microorganism causes an instant reaction of the human body - antibodies in the blood quickly find “familiar” microbes and begin to destroy them BEFORE they begin to “establish themselves.”

Antibodies prevent the onset of the inflammatory process, that is, disease. Then we are talking about the fact that the body has acquired resistance to this disease.

Child's immune system. Features and development

The immune system is formed in the embryo at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, then the spleen, lymph node system and lymphoid tissue(immunity, which is still dormant, depends on this).

The formation of the immune system occurs gradually (up to about 5-6 months of pregnancy), but two months before giving birth, the pregnant woman’s antibodies penetrate through the placenta into circulatory system fetus, reaching a concentration even greater than that of the mother.

Thanks to this, the child successfully copes with billions of microorganisms, since he already has the necessary antibodies in the blood.

At premature birth A premature baby does not have the required amount of antibodies in the blood, so his immunity is reduced.

Weaker protection for children whose mothers had severe toxicosis (preeclampsia) in the second half of pregnancy, as well as in the case of intrauterine malnutrition, when the fetus experienced “starvation” due to insufficient supply of nutrients.

Attention! Breast milk is a source of constant entry into the baby’s body of new antibodies that the mother has accumulated over her entire previous life.

Colonization occurs immediately after birth skin and mucous membranes of a newborn with a diverse microflora. Escherichia coli, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are a necessary microflora, which now remains constantly with him; pathogenic microbes will be destroyed by antibodies.

Important! The first months after birth are characterized by high (as immunologists say - intense) immunity, but gradually weakening occurs protective functions. By about a year of age, the baby has used up all the antibodies it received “as a gift” from its mother. By this period, the child’s body begins to actively synthesize its antibodies. Please note - only those with whom we have already dealt.

Most mothers stop breastfeeding during this period. Therefore, the baby does not have additional replenishment in the form of antibodies. This is why children often get sick at this age. infectious diseases.

This situation persists for up to six years. Then the baby had already become “acquainted” with all sorts of illnesses and was able to develop resistance to infections from the external environment.

Those experts who oppose vaccination consider these methods dangerous for the formation of natural immunity, which is produced on its own, in accordance with the laws of nature.

Conclusions. This article is a reason for thought and analysis. Parents of children have to take responsibility for the question of whether to vaccinate or not, since doctors cannot give a definite answer.

Since vaccination is not mandatory in most developed countries, readers can make their decision by reading all the viewpoints in our publications.

Currently, there are diametrically opposed views on whether absolutely healthy children need vaccinations. The question of why vaccinations are needed is very subtle and painful. Many parents believe that vaccinations harm their child’s body, and the state will drive everyone into vaccination room, otherwise the child will not be able to attend kindergarten, selected school or sports section. Most experts believe that it is still necessary to vaccinate children against infectious diseases, but one should take into account the fact that each child must be approached individually.

How immunity is formed

When a newborn is born, he is protected from many infections by maternal antibodies, which are transferred to the child through the placenta. In the future, if the child is on breastfeeding, then with mother's milk he will receive antibodies from the same infections that his mother had. Then, after the child is transferred to a normal diet, his body will be able to resist only those infections to which pathogens the body itself has developed antibodies. This process is possible in two cases: if the child becomes infected with the infection on his own, and then an infectious disease occurs, or if a weakened infectious agent is introduced into the child’s body from the outside. In this case, the disease will not occur, and antibodies will be developed and will be able to protect the child’s body from the pathogen and the child will not get sick. This is what vaccination is based on.

Why are vaccinations needed?

Vaccination allows you to prevent particularly dangerous infections, such as smallpox, tetanus, polio, and also reduce the incidence of those that often cause complications when severe course diseases.

In different countries the quantity mandatory vaccinations varies, but most countries provide vaccinations against tuberculosis, polio, measles, tetanus, whooping cough, rubella, hepatitis B and mumps. Proponents of mass immunization say that the costs that mass vaccination requires are offset by the fact that life-threatening diseases and their complications do not need to be treated. Opponents of this say that mass vaccinations exclude an individual approach to each person; very often complications arise after vaccinations varying degrees severity, even death.

But current practice shows that a child whose parents refuse to undergo the necessary vaccinations various reasons, very often cannot go to kindergarten, school or enter a university or technical school. To complete the paperwork, a certificate is required indicating which vaccinations were given to the child, at what age, and how many times.

Are vaccinations necessary and why do parents refuse them?

Around the world, the lack of vaccinations for children in currently indicates that parents are not taking good care of their baby. In our country, parents are afraid to vaccinate their children, and for many of them, a child’s lack of vaccinations is a source of special pride. There are several reasons for this. This includes the massive campaign against vaccinations that is unfolding in many media and the incorrect conduct of vaccinations themselves in medical institutions.

How to properly organize vaccination and avoid complications

Before administering any vaccination, the doctor must examine the child immediately before vaccination, be with the child during the procedure, and observe the baby for some time (usually up to half an hour) after vaccination. At the moment, all these rules are being violated everywhere. If vaccinations against polio are very rarely refused, still realizing that in case of illness the child can expect disability or death, then in all other vaccinations the attitude is disdainful. Complications with proper organization vaccinations occur very rarely, and complications of the disease, from which vaccinations are supposed to protect, often lead the child to the hospital, or even to intensive care, and the course of treatment takes a very long time.

When are vaccinations necessary?

However, do not forget about vaccinations if you or your child are going to travel to countries where the epidemiological situation is not very favorable. This also applies to cases if relatives or friends from similar countries come to visit you. This should not be neglected, since a completely alien, unfamiliar infection can be fatal. First of all, this occurs due to insufficient levels medical care and failure to provide assistance early stages diseases.

What is needed to change the situation in vaccination

In order to radically change the current situation, several important steps should be taken:

First of all, the existing calendar of compulsory vaccinations should be reviewed in order to determine which vaccinations must be given to all children. Such infections include tuberculosis, because in modern conditions neither high social status nor the desire to avoid contact with the most likely carrier can protect against the disease. In our country, the incidence of tuberculosis is growing every year. The same vaccinations include the vaccine against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus, since these infections can develop rapidly and, without proper assistance, lead to severe complications, even death.

As for vaccinations against mumps and rubella, their timely use can affect the ability to have their own healthy children in the future, because the mumps virus can lead to the development of infertility in men, and rubella disease during pregnancy leads to the birth of children with severe congenital pathologies and mental retardation.

And vaccinations were originally invented to prevent epidemics. However, as shown by the example of smallpox in England (the city of Leicester) at the beginning of the 20th century, when people began to refuse vaccinations and the epidemic struck again, the number of cases among unvaccinated people was extremely low. It turned out that most people normal level natural immunity immune to this disease. This experience showed that voluntary immunization, i.e., improved nutrition, hygiene, etc., brought much more benefit than vaccination, and without side effects. What is attributed to vaccination is often associated with improving people's quality of life and, as a result, strengthening their natural immunity.

Currently, widespread vaccination is driven by the illusion of a disease-free life. They are trying to convince people that they can live the way they want, don’t take care of their health, drink alcohol, smoke, have promiscuous sex, etc., and still remain healthy by getting vaccinated and taking a pill. This is a very strong, vicious delusion! If a person does not strengthen his immunity, then vaccination often remains powerless, and what is the surprise of parents that vaccinated children get sick with the diseases from which they were vaccinated. After all, no one hides the fact that vaccination does not provide 100% protection. However, they hide that vaccination undermines the child’s fragile immunity.

To be fair, there are cases when the risk of harm to health from a vaccine is lower than from a disease. Therefore, you need to consciously and sensibly weigh your decisions. Today we will talk specifically about vaccinations for children, since there are some nuances here.

Should children be vaccinated?

“Should children be vaccinated?” - the answer to this question requires clarification, since it is impossible to indiscriminately recommend whether or not to vaccinate absolutely everyone. You need to understand the conditions in which a particular child lives, what age he is, what lifestyle his parents lead and, accordingly, he, moreover, it is important how he was carried, and how he was born, how his mother ate before and during pregnancy , whether he was fed or is being breastfed and for how long and much more.

If we still try to answer the question posed (should children be vaccinated), then healthy children whose parents healthy image life, do not drink alcohol, do not use drugs, do not smoke, live in a normal area and especially in a village or outside the city, children are regularly hardened, eat properly, whose relatives do not suffer from tuberculosis, vaccinations, of course, are of no use.

The fact is that children from disadvantaged families are at risk. What is meant here is not material wealth as such, but the environment and conditions in which the child is kept.

To decide for themselves whether or not to vaccinate their child, parents must weigh the benefits and harms of vaccination. For example, it is extremely unfavorable for newborn children to be vaccinated in the first days of life, since the body has not yet had time to adapt to new conditions. And for the baby’s immunity this is incredible stress, because immunity from vaccination, on the contrary, is undermined. In addition, parents should know that vaccinations such as BCG and DTP have strong side effects, and in most developed countries they have refused to administer these vaccines to everyone, since they do more harm than good. Doctors in our country have long made no secret of the fact that these vaccinations often cause complications.

Let's take a look at what some vaccines are designed to protect against, which will hopefully help you weigh the risks of getting sick with these viruses today and make the right decision regarding vaccination.

BCG- vaccine against tuberculosis. On a website dedicated to this disease, it is said: “Russian tuberculosis is social phenomenon, the roots of which lie in the low level of people’s quality of life. Cases of tuberculosis are more often recorded in places of detention.” The following are factors contributing to the occurrence of tuberculosis:

• poor nutrition;
• Availability chronic diseases- pathologies of the pulmonary system, stomach ulcers, diabetes, etc.;
• alcoholism, smoking;
• addiction;
• unfavorable living environment.

And at the very end, the authors of the site make a very sensible conclusion: “The main way to overcome tuberculosis is to popularize a healthy lifestyle.” If you look at the statistics on the incidence of tuberculosis in Russia, you will find an inverse relationship between the level of quality of life and the number of patients. Let us note that the level of quality of life is now growing. So, what is the probability that a newborn, kept in good home conditions, will develop tuberculosis? Here everyone must give their own answer based on their own situation.

DTP- vaccination against tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria. As we said above, it can have strong side effects. In addition to the substances that are included in its composition, harm is caused by too strong pressure on the immune system, this weakens the immune system so much in the days after vaccination that the child becomes vulnerable to other infectious diseases. And yet, let's look at the probability of a child getting sick with these diseases in the first months of life.

Tetanus bacillus can enter the body through injured epithelial tissue(skin, mucous) from the ground, rusty tools, nails, animal bites. In order for tetanus to be activated, there must be no oxygen entering the wound, i.e. it must be quite deep wound. At the same time, a tetanus vaccination can be done separately if the need arises, that is, in the event of a serious injury, and not just like that, just in case. At the same time, homeopathic doctors claim that it is possible to cope homeopathic remedies without resorting to such radical methods like a vaccine.

Whooping cough transmitted by airborne droplets through direct contact with a carrier of the virus. After an illness, natural, strong immunity is formed for life. The effect of the vaccine is short-term and requires revaccination. In addition, the vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against the disease. Previously, people who were sick with whooping cough used to bring their children to them to recover from the disease, as they now do with chickenpox, for example.

Hepatitis B. In addition to BCG, in the maternity hospital, at the birth of a child, they are vaccinated against hepatitis B. It should be noted that this vaccine is genetically modified, which means that no one fully knows what effect it will have on the body in the future, however, like any GMO product. It should be noted that the hepatitis B virus is transmitted through the blood, saliva, urine, semen and other biological fluids of the carrier of the virus. Infection occurs when exposed to biological fluids infected directly into the blood of a healthy person, in the absence of immunity to hepatitis B. This can happen in case of injury and the introduction of the virus there, in case of sexual contact with an infected person or when using an unsterilized syringe. It turns out that the risk of getting this virus increases significantly with the introduction of vaccination. Attention, question: “Why should a newborn get this vaccination?” The most interesting thing is that even an infected mother cannot transmit this virus to him, provided that the placenta is intact and labor proceeds normally. In England, for example, this vaccination is given only if the parents are carriers of this disease.

We will not consider all the vaccinations included in the vaccination calendar, there are too many of them there, but I strongly recommend studying each one if you are not sure of your decision.

Right to refuse vaccinations

Every citizen Russian Federation has the right to refuse vaccinations for himself and his children. According to Art. 5 of Law No. 157-FZ of September 17, 1998 “On Immunoprophylaxis of Infectious Diseases”, any person has the right to refuse vaccinations, also Art. 11 of this law states that vaccinations for minors are carried out only with parental consent. It must be taken into account that the absence preventive vaccinations entails:

• a ban on citizens traveling to countries where, in accordance with international health regulations or international treaties of the Russian Federation, their stay requires specific preventive vaccinations;
• temporary refusal to admit citizens to educational organizations and health institutions in the event of mass infectious diseases or the threat of epidemics;
• refusal to hire citizens for work or removal of citizens from work, the performance of which is related to high risk diseases of infectious diseases.

The list of works, the performance of which is associated with a high risk of contracting infectious diseases and requires mandatory preventive vaccinations, is established by the federal executive body authorized by the Government of the Russian Federation.

Refusal from vaccinations is issued on a form that must be issued at a clinic or educational institution. If the form is not issued for some reason, parents must write an application themselves. The Appendix to the Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia dated January 26, 2009 No. 19n recommends a sample form for refusing vaccinations for a child: “Voluntary informed consent to carry out preventive vaccinations for children or refuse them.” Since this form is only recommended, parents have the right to draw up an application in any form, in which they should indicate:

• Full name of the parent, it is also recommended to indicate the date of birth and place of residence.
• Full name and date of birth of the child.
• Full name of the vaccination (or list of vaccinations) that is being refused.
• Links to legislation are welcome.
• Be sure to indicate that the decision to refuse is a deliberate one.
• Date and signature.

There are plenty of examples of statements about refusal of vaccinations on the Internet; you can use them.

Difficulties you may encounter if you refuse vaccinations

It’s 2018, which means that an entire generation has already grown up without vaccinations, so in many regions of our country, social service workers have become accustomed to refusing vaccinations and often no longer react. At the same time, children safely attend kindergartens and schools. And yet sometimes some difficulties arise.

For example, if a child is not vaccinated against tuberculosis and has not had a Mantoux test, upon admission to a kindergarten or school they often require a certificate from a phthisiatrician. Until recently, people actively wrote refusals to visit a TB doctor, since he required a Mantoux test or an x-ray, which is extremely undesirable for a child. The fact is that among the components in the Mantoux test there are harmful substances, such as estrogen, which has a Negative influence on the human hormonal system, and phenol - toxic substance, an overdose of which can disrupt the functioning of the heart, kidneys, reproductive system and leads to immunosuppression. What puts this procedure on par with vaccination. However, the indicators are often false positive in healthy people. According to the law, X-rays can be prescribed to children under 14 years of age only in extreme cases. But on this moment the situation has changed, and new modern accurate alternative ways tuberculin diagnostics, one of which may make sense to undergo, so as not to waste time and effort on applications, refusals, prosecutors, etc.

• PCR - polymerase chain reaction. Physiological secretions of a person can be taken for analysis: mucus, sputum, ejaculate and even cerebrospinal fluid. The test accuracy is 100%. True, the test does not distinguish deceased tuberculosis DNA from living ones, so in a person who has just recovered from tuberculosis, the test may show a false positive result.
• Quantiferon test. Used for analysis deoxygenated blood. Accuracy - 99%.
• T-SPOT is an analogue of the quantiferon test. Recommended for HIV-infected people and those with severely weakened immunity. Safe for pregnant women and infants. Accuracy - up to 98%.

It should be noted that the accuracy of the Mantoux reaction test is up to 70%, this method V modern world is considered obsolete. At the same time, the only negative side the above alternative methods is their high cost.

In addition, there are situations when parents are threatened that they will not accept their child into kindergarten or school without vaccinations; sometimes they actually refuse admission and suspend them from classes. In this case, you need to contact the prosecutor's office; these actions on the part of the management of children's institutions are unlawful, unless it is a temporary suspension related to the epidemic.

Whatever decision you make, remember that the main thing when it comes to vaccinations is immunity! And it is laid long before the birth of the child, and also depends on how soon the umbilical cord was cut at birth, whether the mother breastfeeds the child and how she feeds herself. In the first years of life, while the child is eating breast milk, he is under double protection, his own and his mother’s immunity, so when normal conditions Children during these years rarely get sick and recover quickly. Also, do not forget to harden your children from the first days of life, go to the bathhouse with them and douse yourself with cold water!

Remember, the best alternative to vaccination is a healthy lifestyle!