VACCINATION AGAINST MEASLES AND DIPHTHERIA: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Do I need the vaccination against measles and diphtheria?
Both these diseases are such ones that may cause to severe forms of diseases with complications and negative consequences. Besides, they usually run more severe at adults.
Do I need to be vaccinated if I was ill with the measles?
No, you do not need, the stable immunity is formed after disease.
What shall I do if I do not remember whether I was ill with measles?
You need to undergo the blood test for antibodies to virus (anti-Morbilli IgG). If they are positive – you do not need the vaccination. However, it should be mentioned that now in Ukraine 3 components vaccine is used for prevention of measles, epidemic parotitis and scarlet fever. We doubt whether you were ill with all these infections as the vaccinations may be made without previous blood examination for available antibodies.
If in the childhood I had one vaccination against measles?
In this case you need to make one more dose of vaccine.
What shall I do if I were not vaccinated in the childhood and were not ill with measles?
You can make the vaccination in any age with two doses within the interval of not less than 1 month.
What shall I do if I do not remember whether I was vaccinated against diphtheria?
In this case you may undergo the blood test for available antitoxic immunity (IgG). If the concentration of antibodies is not less than 0.1 IU/ml – you are protected. If there is no possibility to perform such examination, you need to be vaccinated. The vaccination for all citizens of Ukraine is free of charge. The vaccination course for adults consists of 3 vaccinations ADT-M, the interval between the first and second one is 1 month, the third vaccination is held in 6 months after the second one. All next re-vaccinations are due to planned procedure, with interval of 10 years.
If I had no vaccination against diphtheria each 10 years, what shall I do?
You should make one dose of ADT-M.
If I need now to make the vaccination against measles and diphtheria, can I do it at the same time?
Yes, these vaccinations may be made at the same time, into different sites of body, or with any interval.
Who does not need to make the vaccination against measles?
According to international recommendations it is not necessary to perform the vaccination against measles:
- if there is the confirmed suffered documented case of measles;
- twice vaccinated
What are the contraindications to perform the vaccination against measles:
- to people with allergic reaction to neomycin or other component of vaccine, which threatens for life, arisen as to primary administration of vaccine;
- if a person is ill at the moment of vaccination (acute, severe forms of fever), it shall be postponed to clinical recovery,
- people with primary or secondary immune deficit;
- to pregnant women, besides, after vaccination it is necessary to avoid the pregnancy during 3 months after vaccination
What are the contraindications for vaccination with ADT-M?
The contraindications to vaccination with ADT-M are:
- severe complications at previous application in the form of anaphylactic reaction or toxic erythema;
- allergic reaction to any component of anatoxin or to previous administration of vaccines that contains the diphtheria and/or titanic anatoxin;
- organic progressing diseases of nervous system, epilepsy, epileptic syndrome with spasms not rare than 2 times a month;
- acute diseases or complications of chronic diseases;
- innate combined immune deficiencies, primary hypogammaglobulimenia
- performance of immune suppressive therapy
What are the vaccines against measles and diphtheria in Ukraine?
MPSF – for prevention from measles, epidemic parotitis and scarlet fever,
AWCDT – for prevention from diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
ADT – for prevention from diphtheria and tetanus;
ADT-M – for prevention from diphtheria and tetanus, with reduced content of antigen/
The vaccines for prevention from diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, combined with vaccines against infections, stipulated by Haemophilus influenzae of type b, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B.
Department of Medical Consulting Work and
Professor Olha Holubovska,
Professor Iryna Kolesnikova
