Outbreaks of infectious diseases are a serious problem in times of war and humanitarian crises. Doctors of the Western Ukrainian Specialized Children’s Medical Center (center) remind that timely vaccination, which is proposed to be done at the center, will prevent their spread.
In particular, due to the forced migration of people from “hot spots”, the risk of disease and the spread of tetanus, polio, pneumococcus and hepatitis A among children increases.
With high crowds, the risk of spreading infectious diseases, which are a particularly high risk for children with incomplete or absent vaccinations, is increasing. The fighting in Ukraine poses a double threat to the lives of young Ukrainians.
Despite the planned vaccination according to the national calendar, the center’s immunologist Larysa Kostyuchenko identifies at least three vaccinations that can protect Ukrainians.
“Many of us have to spend a lot of time in shelters or in ordinary basements – wet, cold and poorly ventilated. Therefore, it is important to talk about vaccination against pneumococci,” – said the doctor.
Vaccination against pneumococci was planned to be included in the National Vaccination Calendar this year. For Ukrainians, this prevention should become routine. However, due to the Russian invasion, such an introduction was unfortunately postponed.
Another problem that can threaten Ukrainians is hepatitis A, which is transmitted through household (fecal-oral) routes. After all, damaged or destroyed infrastructure usually causes a problem with sufficient quality drinking water, lack of food, and sanitary problems.
Forced migration contributes to the spread of infectious diseases, both among migrants and locals. Given that the incubation period for hepatitis A can last from 2 to 4 weeks, a person leaving eastern Ukraine may not have symptoms. will appear later, and during this time a person can infect those with whom he comes in contact, “said Larysa Kostyuchenko.
Combat increases the risk of tetanus due to an increase in the number of injuries. The causative agent of tetanus is in the environment – soil, dust and more. Injury, even minor, will promote the penetration of the pathogen into the human body.
Only vaccination can prevent the disease. It is important to find out if a person has been vaccinated against tetanus and, if necessary, to carry out emergency prophylaxis. Children who are vaccinated according to the National Calendar are protected from the disease. Adults need revaccination every 10 years.
The center reminds that if you have missed a scheduled vaccination or want to get vaccinations that are not part of the National Plan, a pediatrician at the ZUSDMC will help you make an individual vaccination schedule.
You can make an appointment for a doctor’s consultation and vaccination by calling the reception:
(032) 270 22 07
(063) 189 70 50
(097) 150 70 53
Photo: ZUSMDC