Vaccinate a child with allergies or not? That is the question! Many parents still cannot make up their minds, not knowing whether it is safe to vaccinate a child with an allergy. Are these fears correct?
Specialists emphasize thatallergy in a childthis is nota contraindication to vaccination . On the contrary - in order to provide the child with effective protection against diseases, it should be done, because in allergy sufferers the course of the disease can be much more severe. It is worth remembering that possibleallergic reactions after the vaccineare less dangerous than acute complications after, for example, measles or the flu.
Vaccination: controlled dose of germs
The injection with the vaccine, although unpleasant for the child, has a very important task - to strengthen his immunity, and thus the natural defense system against diseases. How exactly does it work?
- A vaccine is an appropriately composed, special preparation containing weakened or dead bacteria or viruses, their parts or individual antigens. Its administration causes a specific reaction of the immune system. The body responds to this "mock" attack and begins to defend itself against germs. In this way, it develops appropriate mechanisms, thanks to which it fights with microorganisms much more effectively when it comes into contact with them again, explains the drug. med. Marta Cieszkowska, pediatrician from Medicover Hospital.
Allergic to vaccination?
Fighting germs is not the only reaction that may arise from the body. Some components of vaccine preparations may also cause undesirable effects. - For example, the antigens, preservatives or stabilizers they contain may have an allergenic effect. Some vaccines, such as those against measles, rubella, mumps and the flu, are also produced on chicken embryos, so they may contain trace amounts of chicken protein, the drug says. med. Marta Cieszkowska from the Medicover Hospital.
Hypersensitivity to egg white is only a relative contraindication to vaccination. A child with a high sensitivity to egg white can be given a protein-free vaccine.
Local symptoms appear most often, such as swelling, erythema, itchy rash or other skin lesions at the injection site,and a slight fever.
They pass spontaneously, usually after a maximum of 24 hours. More serious problems, such as anaphylactic shock, which manifest themselves, inter alia, with increased pulse rate, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, and even loss of consciousness, are much less common. However, this reaction can only occur if you are very allergic to a component of the vaccine.
Vaccinating children with allergies in hospital
It should be remembered that experts point out that an allergy is not a contraindication to vaccinating a child. - It is worth emphasizing that it is much more dangerous if a child, especially an allergy sufferer, is not vaccinated at all. This can make the course of a possible disease much more severe for him - emphasizes the pediatrician, MD. med. Marta Cieszkowska. Therefore, if the doctor has ruled out the risk of a child having a severe anaphylactic reaction, it is essential to stick to the vaccination program, but consult an allergist before each vaccination.
In order to minimize the possible risk, vaccines should be administered to "allergic persons" in the presence of trained medical personnel in hospital conditions - such a solution is offered today by some medical institutions. - After the vaccination, the child remains in the hospital overnight for observation. It is under the constant supervision of doctors who immediately provide help in the event of an adverse reaction, says the drug. med. Marta Cieszkowska from the Medicover Hospital.
ImportantDuring the first six months of its life, the baby benefits from the immunity it acquired thanks to the antibodies received from the mother in the womb and later during the feeding process. Only after this time, his body begins to produce them on its own, and vaccines help him fight microbes.
Child vaccinations - contraindications
Source: press materials