Vaccination schedules and vaccine types

Pneumococcal infection and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis complex

Vaccination against pneumococcal infection is indicated not only for risk groups; it covers the entire pediatric population. Conjugated vaccines are used for protection according to the standard «2+1» schedule. The primary course is administered at 2 and 4.5 months of age, and the booster dose is given at 15 months.

The primary vaccination series against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus is administered at 3, 4.5, and 6 months. It can be performed using either the standard whole-cell vaccine (DTwP) or the acellular vaccine (DTaP). If there are medical contraindications to the pertussis component, the Td toxoid (Ad-M) is used. The booster vaccination schedule includes doses at 18 months, 6–7 years, and 14 years. The adult population requires booster doses every 10 years.

For booster vaccination of patients aged 4 to 64 years, the Adacel preparation is frequently used. It contains tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (produced by Clostridium tetani and Corynebacterium diphtheriae), as well as five acellular components of Bordetella pertussis. The antigens are adsorbed on aluminum phosphate, and 2-phenoxyethanol serves as the preservative. Studies across three age groups have demonstrated that anti-pertussis antibodies remain at a high level for up to 5 years, but drop to baseline levels by 10 years. Therefore, Adacel is administered at 10-year intervals to maintain immunity.

Specific prevention of rotavirus infection

Immunoprophylaxis of rotavirus gastroenteritis is carried out according to epidemiological indications. Preparations are used exclusively for oral administration.

• RotaTeq: live oral pentavalent vaccine (contains 5 human-bovine reassortant strains). Protects against severe forms by 98%. The course consists of three doses. Initiation starts from 8 weeks of life, with an interval of 4–6 weeks between doses. Strict rule: the third dose must be administered no later than 32 weeks of age.
• Rotarix: live monovalent vaccine. Administered to infants from 6 to 24 weeks of age. The course consists of two doses with an interval of 4–6 weeks. It is optimal to complete the course by 16 weeks, with the deadline at 24 weeks.

Meningococcus, measles, rubella, mumps, and influenza

Most meningococcal infections are caused by five serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis: A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Polysaccharide and conjugate preparations are used for prevention.

The modern conjugate vaccine Menactra has clear age-based schedules. Infants aged 9 to 24 months receive it twice (3-month interval) intramuscularly in the thigh. Patients over 2 years receive the vaccine once in the deltoid muscle. Vaccination is strictly indicated for contacts in outbreak settings, asplenia, complement deficiency, travel to African countries, and for laboratory workers handling N. meningitidis cultures.

Routine protection against measles, mumps, and rubella is performed at 12 months with a booster dose at 6–7 years. Catch-up immunization against measles for adolescents and adults up to 35 years old is administered in two doses with an interval of at least 3 months.

Influenza prevention is carried out annually. Target groups include children from 6 months of age, schoolchildren, students, medical personnel, and elderly individuals over 60 years old.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Specifics of using the Menactra vaccine in various immunodeficiencies.
• Immunogenicity of acellular pertussis components in the Adacel vaccine.
• Characteristics of reassortant strains in the RotaTeq preparation.
• Indications for catch-up rubella immunization in women aged 18–25.
• Interchangeability of DTwP, DTaP, and Td vaccines in clinical practice.

Other topics in "Chapter 1. General Issues"

Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.