Expert on vaccines at the Ministry of Health of Yakutia discusses safeguards for tick-borne encephalitis, HPV, and pneumococcal infections.
Chilling with Marianne Alexandrova, The Tick Whisperer
Let's get down with Marianne Alexandrova, our go-to gal on all things tick-related! As the head of the immunoprophylaxis department at the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)'s "AIDS Center" and the main vaccination guru of the Republic of Sakha's Ministry of Health, she knows a thing or two about keeping ticks at bay.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis: The Forgotten Tick
To tackle tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), vaccination is our best defense. Although vaccination against TBE is not funded by the federal budget, it's included in the calendar of prophylactic vaccinations for epidemiological reasons. Good news for those at high risk, such as agricultural and construction workers, hunters, and geologists, as the vaccine is offered for free. If you reside in endemic areas like Aldan, Lena, Olekma, Neryungri, Hangalass, and Suntar districts, you're also covered. Travelers and those venturing to endemic areas should consider getting the vaccine for a fee.
Pro-tip: Keep an eye on those tickly-feeling critters this Spring!
From National to Local
Vaccination is our main weapon against infectious diseases, and the national vaccination calendar lists 12 essential vaccines to shield us from 12 diseases, including hepatitis B, measles, and tuberculosis. As of 2024, our republic will roll out a new Regional Vaccination Calendar, which will beef up the National Calendar with additional vaccines. The Region's updated schedule will provide immunization for hepatitis A in children before entering daycare, HPV vaccines for girls aged 9 and above, rotavirus vaccines for children as young as 2 months, another dose of whooping cough vaccine for children aged 6-7, pneumococcal vaccines for high-risk adults aged 65 and above, and of course, TBE vaccines in endemic regions of our republic. Stick to your doc's recommendations and vaccinate your kids accordingly.
Rotaviruses and HPV: Intergalactic Tick Foes
If you're wondering about the new rotavirus and HPV vaccines, they're here to protect our little ones. Rotavirus vaccines are administered to infants aged 2 months orally, three times with an interval of 1 month. HPV vaccines, which can prevent cervical cancer, are given to girls aged 9 and above, in two doses, separated by six months. Both vaccines can be administered concurrently with vaccines included in the National Vaccination Calendar.
One question on everyone's mind: can too many vaccines overload the immune system? The answer is a resounding nope! Even at birth, a baby encounters tens of thousands of foreign antigens, and their immune system handles it without breaking a sweat. When a child receives 11 vaccines at once, only 0.1% of the immune system's potential is utilized. Don't you worry, numerous clinical trials have been conducted to ensure that post-vaccination antibodies for each vaccine antigen are at acceptable levels, allowing for the simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines.
Epidemiological Alert: The Risk of Imported Cases
Nationwide, we've managed to maintain a vaccination coverage rate of 96-99% for most diseases, keeping our sanitary-epidemiological situation stable. However, as long as infectious diseases persist elsewhere, there's always a chance of transmission to unvaccinated individuals. Be wise, protect yourself and your loved ones! Stay vigilant, and don't let those sneaky ticks catch you off guard this Spring!
- Marianne Alexandrova, the Tick Whisperer, heads the immunoprophylaxis department in the AIDS Center of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), focusing on measures to combat tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
- One of the vaccines Marianne advises for people at high risk, like agricultural workers, hunters, and geologists, is the TBE vaccine, which is offered for free in endemic areas.
- The science of health-and-wellness sector is continually evolving, with new vaccines like those for rotavirus and papillomavirus being developed to prevent diseases such as cervical cancer.
- As part of their health-and-wellness routine, individuals should keep abreast of hydromeliorative practices and ensure they are vaccinated against preventable diseases, including TBE in endemic areas, to maintain optimum health.
