Vaccinations at the maternity hospital – is it worth vaccinating a baby?

What vaccinations are given to newborns in the maternity hospital and whether parents should give their consent – we asked these and other questions regarding childhood vaccination to pediatricians of the COLADY magazine.

The issue of vaccination traditionally appears among all parents of newborn children. Vaccinations are one of the most effective means in modern medicine for protecting children’s weak immunity from infections of various kinds. There are many opponents of vaccination (since the eighties), who rely in their conclusions on cases of complications after vaccinations. So what is better – to allow the baby’s immunity to grow stronger without outside help, or still play it safe and get the required vaccinations?

The content of the article:

What vaccinations are given to newborns in a maternity hospital?

The maternity hospital is vaccinating against tuberculosis with the BCG-M vaccine and against hepatitis B. The situation with the incidence of tuberculosis in Russia is not very good, so so far our country cannot refuse early vaccination against this infection. The only thing we can afford is to use a reduced antigen vaccine.

It is better not to give up this vaccination. The problem is that after 2 months it is carried out only after the Mantoux test on a strictly defined day. This causes a lot of problems. In particular, there is information that, in infancy, it is much better tolerated. Vaccination against hepatitis B is given to all newborns, as this is the only way to prevent infection with hepatitis B from the mother. If the mother is sure that she is healthy (there are vaccinations, fresh tests), then vaccination can be postponed until the age of three months and done as part of a combined hexavalent vaccine. The vaccination schedule is the first introduction, a second one month later, and a third after six months. However, if there are carriers of hepatitis B in the family, then vaccination must be carried out in the first day of life, at 1 month, at 2 months and a year.

BCG vaccination (against tuberculosis) in the hospital

What vaccinations are given in the hospital? First of all, BCG. This vaccination is highly recommended by doctors because of the possible rapid infection, even in the absence of contact with the patient.

Lack of immunity to tuberculosis is a high risk for an infant after discharge from the hospital. BCG vaccination in the hospital is usually done on the third day of life, by injecting the vaccine under the skin of the left shoulder.

BCG. Contraindications for vaccination

Vaccinations for children in the hospital cannot be done if there are such contraindications:

• Cases of acquired (congenital) immunodeficiency in the child’s family.
• Complications after this vaccination in other children in the family.
• Insufficiency (congenital) of the functions of any enzymes.
• Perinatal CNS lesions.
• Severe hereditary diseases.

BCG postponed indefinitely in situations such as:

• Infectious processes in the child’s body.
• Hemolytic disease (due to the incompatibility of maternal and child blood).
• Prematurity.

Possible complications after BCG vaccination in a newborn

Vaccinations in the hospital are not given at the risk of such complications:

• Ulceration of the infiltrate.
• Subcutaneous infiltration (with deep injection of the vaccine).
• Keloid (scar).
• Infection that has spread to the lymph nodes.

Vaccination of a newborn against viral Hepatitis B (three times up to a year)

What vaccinations are given to newborns in the maternity hospital? Those that help reduce the risk of contracting life-threatening viruses and bacteria. Infection with hepatitis B can occur even from a microscopic dose of a patient’s infected bloodif it enters the child’s body through mucous membranes or damaged skin. The penetration of infection into a child’s body at an early age contributes to the strengthening of the infection and its formation into chronic hepatitis. The vaccine is injected into the child’s thigh before discharge from the hospital…

Exceptions: babies with hepatitis transmitted from the mother (within 12 hours after birth) and premature babies (after reaching the 2 kg body weight mark). Protection against hepatitis B (for 15 years) is provided only by a full course of vaccination.

Vaccination against Hepatitis B. Contraindications for vaccination of a baby in a maternity hospital

• Body weight less than two kilograms.
• Purulent-septic diseases.
• Intrauterine infections.
• Hemolytic disease.
• Lesions of the central nervous system.

Hepatitis B vaccine. Possible complications in an infant

• Temperature increase.
• Lump (redness) at the vaccination site.
• Slight malaise.
• Muscle (joint) pain.
• Rash, urticaria.

Is it really necessary to vaccinate a child in a maternity hospital?

Oddly enough, the opinions of experts in this matter do not differ in agreement. Some are sure that vaccination is not advisable for a child in the first hours of his life, due to a weak immune response and, accordingly, the senselessness of vaccination. That is, in their opinion, immunity against hepatitis B simply cannot be formed at this age, and the vaccination should be postponed for three months.
Others argue the need given vaccination.

So is it necessary to vaccinate / vaccinate a child in a maternity hospital? Most pediatricians are confident that the answer is yes.

It’s important to know! Basic rules for vaccination of a newborn in a maternity hospital

1. The introduction of the vaccine against tuberculosis should be carried out in the thigh of a child, namely in its front side part.
2. Injection into the buttock gives a lesser immune response, and in addition, it can cause complications such as damage to the nerve trunk and swelling due to ingestion of the subcutaneous tissue.
3. Vaccinate the child against tuberculosis at home you can’t – only in a medical facility.
4. Vaccination against tuberculosis cannot be combined with other vaccinations…
5. If the child is sick vaccination is canceled without fail. Vaccination, in this case, is carried out a month after the final recovery.
6. Vaccination it is not recommended to do in the heat…
7. You should not visit public places with a crumb before vaccination, as well as after the introduction of a live vaccine.
8. During vaccinations it is undesirable to interrupt breastfeedingand also bathe the baby.

Where are the newborns vaccinated?

• Maternity hospital. Traditionally, the first vaccinations are carried out there, although the mother has the right to refuse vaccination.
• District polyclinics. In polyclinics, vaccinations are provided free of charge. The child is examined by a doctor before and after, and information about vaccination is entered into the child’s medical record. Cons: queues to see a doctor and a short time given to a pediatrician to examine a child.
• Medical Center. Pros: Higher quality modern vaccines. Cons: the cost of vaccinations (they won’t get it for free). When choosing a medical center, you should rely on its reputation and the experience of doctors in vaccine prevention.
• At home. You should not vaccinate at home, even if you trust your doctor. Firstly, doctors do not have the right to vaccinate children at home, and secondly, special conditions are needed to store and transport the vaccine.

How to refuse vaccination of a child in a maternity hospital

Every mother (father) has full right to refuse vaccination… All vaccinations for children under the age of majority must be carried out exclusively with the consent of their parents. It happens that, contrary to the law, vaccinations are carried out in maternity hospitals without even informing the mother. How to protect your rights and your child if you are against the vaccine?

1. Write vaccination refusal statement (in advance) in duplicate, paste into the card of the antenatal clinic, which is usually taken to the hospital. As for the second copy, it will be needed at the postpartum department. The signature of the child’s father is desirable on the applications.
2. Immediately upon admission to the hospital warn doctors verbally about the refusal… It should be remembered that the inducement to consent to the vaccine is due to the sanctions imposed on doctors for an unfulfilled “vaccination plan”. Therefore, do not sign any papers until you have read them completely.
3. Sometimes in the hospital they ask you to give consent in case of need for medical intervention to help with childbirth. In the same place, among the points, the vaccination of the child can also be found. You can safely delete this point.
4. If you are determined to refuse vaccination, prepare for psychological pressure from health workers. Arguing with them is a waste of nerves, but if you have them like steel ropes, then you can explain your refusal in different ways: “The family is allergic to vaccinations”, “BCG is a live vaccine, and there is no guarantee that the child is completely healthy”, “Hepatitis B vaccine is genetically modified”, etc.
5. Detain mother in the hospital due to the fact that she refused BCG, are not eligible by law… The mother has the right to pick up the child against receipt (that she is responsible for his life) at any time. In case of problems, refer to Article 33, which guarantees you your rights. Against the will of the mother, vaccinations and other medical services are carried out only by a court decision (and then – in the presence of dangerous diseases).
6. Maternity hospital requirement reference that there are no tuberculosis patients at home, also illegally…
7. In case of paid childbirth, enter into the contract with the maternity hospital in advance child non-vaccination clause…

If you are not against vaccinations, but there are doubts, ask the doctors written confirmation of the quality of the vaccine, preliminary (before vaccination) examination of the child and the absence of contraindications for vaccination, as well as material liability of doctors in case of complications after vaccination. Alas, the need for this paper is confirmed by repeated cases of negligence of the medical staff, as a result of (unpunished!) Actions of which children became disabled. Therefore, it does not hurt to play it safe.

The child was vaccinated without the mother’s consent. What to do?

• Prevent re-vaccination (usually three times).
• Do not listen to intimidation about the dire consequences of interrupting the vaccination chain (this is a myth).
• Write a complaint to the prosecutor’s office, list the articles of Russian legislation violated by the medical staff and send it by registered mail.

Whatever decision parents make, they should think about the health of their child and guard his interests. It is worth remembering that the health of the child is only in the hands of the parents.