Can dogs go for walks after vaccination: features of vaccination of puppies and adult dogs

Vaccination for dogs is mandatory. It protects pets from serious diseases or alleviates their course. To make the procedure easy and without consequences, you need to know the basic recommendations. Including how to prepare your pet, whether it is possible to walk after vaccination, bathe it, what to do if the animal does not eat and itches.

Why does a puppy need walks?

During the walk, interpersonal connections between the dog and the owner are established. With proper organization of periods of activity and rest, the puppy receives the necessary physical activity, and its nervous system is formed.

Puppies

Important! Exercise should be a joy for the puppy. There is no point in forcing him to do something by force.

To prevent the dog from getting tired of walks, they need to be done more often, but shorter in time. After basic vaccinations, the frequency of walks should be at least 5 times a day.

Getting to know the outside world begins even before vaccination. True, it passes in the hands of the owner. Even this form brings positive results. Many owners neglect going out with their small pets. The main excuse is that there are a lot of infected animals on the street, although a lot of things get into your home with street shoes. In any case, the baby will come into contact with the brought infection. It might even get infected.

The difference between greenhouse dogs and actively walking dogs is that the latter gradually acquire immunity against any infection precisely on walks. Pets are deprived of this, so even a small dose of pest viruses can be dangerous for them. They get sick longer and more severely.

Walking a labrador puppy

The second point is that the pet dog does not learn social coexistence skills. Experience communicating with representatives of your class is acquired from 4 to 8 months. It is much easier for a puppy to learn to live in the city, not to be afraid of people, cars, noise, or other animals in an environment. The psyche of children is quite plastic.

A slightly older dog explores the world on walks. To prevent this process from getting out of control, the owner must plan walks wisely. If at first walking was carried out in quiet places, then gradually the pet should be introduced to busy areas.

Need to know ! It is important for your puppy to change routes regularly. The more knowledge he receives, the more adequately he will behave as an adult.

In order not to become an attachment to the leash, the pet must be given loads throughout the entire walk. Elements of training should be gradually introduced.

Walking is of no small importance in fulfilling the natural needs of the animal. This is especially important for large breeds. If dwarf representatives (Yorkie, Spitz, Chihuahua) can be allowed to walk in a diaper, large ones (Dachshund, Husky, German and East European shepherds, Labrador, etc.) should not be allowed to do this even at a tender age.

The dog needs to empty its intestines and bladder 3-4 times a day. They can tolerate it, but then problems arise with the genitourinary system. Long-term restraint leads to chronic diseases, for example, urolithiasis.

Swimming is very useful for the general development and strengthening of the dog’s physical condition. You can start doing this from the age of three months.

Deworming before vaccination

Before vaccination, the question becomes acute of how to prepare the dog for this procedure. Worming an animal before vaccination is the first necessary point that must be completed in the process of preparing for vaccination.

During this period, the puppy should significantly reduce his walks, and also limit the animal’s access to the corridor or to the place where street clothes are stored. This is a mandatory precaution to reduce the possibility of re-infection with helminths.

The owner must also carefully monitor personal hygiene measures. Before approaching your puppy, you should wash your hands thoroughly. The dog must not be allowed near the trash bin. It is also worth limiting the dog’s contact with strangers who have dogs, as this is also fraught with the appearance of worms. Visits from guests should be postponed until the puppy has developed a strong enough immunity to external pathogens.

Puppies up to one year old should be vaccinated strictly at home, this is due to the fact that the immune system is still quite weak, and in the clinic contact with other animals is inevitable, which can significantly complicate the course of the post-vaccination period. If your pet is not feeling well, for the same reasons it is better to call a veterinarian at home.

It is necessary to worm a dog before vaccination, since helminths significantly affect the animal’s immunity, which in the post-vaccination period can cause various undesirable reactions, as well as allergic manifestations in the dog.

Subsequently, deworming is performed approximately every six months. However, it is worth noting the fact that if there are other animals in the house, then worming should be carried out for everyone at the same time.

As you can see, preparing a dog for vaccination is a rather complex and very responsible process. Proper compliance with all precautions will give your pet strong immunity and good health.

At what age can you start walking puppies?

When can you take your puppy outside for walks after the first vaccination?

From birth to 1.5-2 months, puppies are protected by the mother's immunity. As long as they are with her, they are not in danger even when communicating with other animals. But immediately after weaning, the puppy becomes vulnerable. Without immunization, you should absolutely not go for walks with him.

Puppy vaccination

A two-month-old puppy receives the first mandatory vaccination (the second, if we count the optional one for parvovirus enteritis). Two weeks after it, if the pet feels well, you can start walking.

Important to remember ! After this vaccination, the pet does not yet have immunity against rabies. When planning your walking route, you need to take this fact into account. It is unlikely that it would be correct to walk him in places frequented by wild animals (fox, raccoon).

At first, you need to pay more attention to your pet’s well-being. If signs of discomfort are observed after a walk, walks should be suspended until the reasons are fully clarified.

There are general rules that need to be followed during the first time after vaccination:

• The optimal temperature for walking in winter is up to -10°C, in summer up to +30°C.
• Windless, calm place.
• In the first 7-10 days you should not be exposed to rain.
• During the first month, loads should be normalized. It’s better to walk more often, but not for long. Each time 20-25 minutes is enough.

Important ! You should not take the puppy out for a walk immediately after feeding.

It is very important to motivate your dog. While walking, he can be frightened by very simple objects and phenomena. It is important to show the pet that the owner is nearby and the danger is insignificant. Affectionate stroking and tasty treats will distract and calm him down. To keep the puppy from freezing, he should be constantly encouraged to move, but in a way that makes him happy.

Dog lovers need to understand that each of the components of a complex vaccine has its own time period for the onset of protection. Full protection occurs after the first mandatory vaccination within a week, with the exception of leptospirosis and rabies. Therefore, the doctor indicates the period after which immunity is developed against all the diseases listed in the complex.

As for walks until the end of quarantine (and generally after weaning), they can be continued if you are sure that:

• fenced area;
• has never been visited by other animals (or has undergone preventive treatment);
• well protected from the wind;
• illuminated by the sun.

Therefore, the decision on how long the dog cannot be walked after vaccination is made by the dog’s owner himself.

When to walk your adult dog after vaccination?

Immunization for stronger adult animals is repeated annually, and the injection is given with complex preparations, including pathogens of several infections. It is permissible to add a separate injection to the indicated injection, which forms resistance to rabies. In females, the immunization schedule depends on estrus, mating, and begins a month before the indicated processes.

Walking adult dogs is not prohibited, but by the end of the 11th – 12th month, immunity decreases, so you should walk before and after vaccination for 14 days separately from other dogs, without intense physical activity. It is better to extend the quarantine period to 21 days to avoid contracting rabies. In cold weather, the dog does not need to be washed; just rinse its paws with warm water and treat the coat with dry shampoo.

Read. Rabikan anti-rabies vaccine for cats and dogs

After quarantine, the dog is gradually returned to active activities, allowed to swim in reservoirs, and restrictions on interactions with any animals are removed.

At what age are puppies vaccinated?

Is it possible to wash a dog after vaccination: after how long is it allowed?

From birth to one and a half months, puppies grow up breastfed. They receive all the necessary protective equipment from the vaccinated mother. After weaning, puppies require external protection. To do this, it is recommended to start vaccinating them from 6 weeks. The first vaccination is done in the nursery. It is not mandatory, but desirable. This is protection against parvovirus enteritis. For this purpose, one of the drugs is used: “Eurikan”, “Primo”, “Nobivak Pappy”, “Multican”.

First vaccination

Mandatory vaccinations begin no later than 8 weeks. The second (mandatory) vaccination is complex. It protects against:

• parvovirus enteritis;
• plague;
• infectious laryngotracheitis;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• leptospirosis.

If the nursery dispenses with the optional one, this complex one is considered the first.

At 3 months the third vaccination is indicated. The puppy needs it. It includes the entire composition of the second complex, but adds an anti-rabies component. By the way, annual revaccination against rabies is required.

If necessary (if the dog often suffers from infectious diseases), it is recommended to repeat the complex vaccination at 4 months, as with the third vaccination. This is the fourth immunization. It is optional and is carried out only according to medical indications.

How to prepare your dog for vaccination

Animals are vaccinated from birth. The first vaccinations are administered to puppies at the age of 8 - 10 weeks; for their safety, a veterinarian is called to the house, who draws up a schedule for the administration of each vaccine and conducts a preliminary examination.

Dogs are recommended to be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus enteritis - fatal infections that require immediate action in case of infection. Animals are also vaccinated against:

• Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. It is characterized by anemia, fever, hemorrhagic lesions of the liver, kidneys, intestines, disorders of the nervous system;
• coronavirus enteritis - a viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract, it depletes the dog, leads to dehydration, the mild and medium stages are treatable;
• viral hepatitis – liver infection;
• parainfluenza - a respiratory disease is vaccinated during periods of focal tension.

Living in areas endemic for ticks requires additional vaccinations against piroplasmosis and borreliosis. In some cases, the animal should be vaccinated against lichen.

Read. Mandatory vaccinations for horses

Responsibility for ensuring timely vaccinations lies with the dog owner. He also monitors the storage conditions of the drugs, deworms the animal 14 days before vaccination, and gets rid of fleas. The measure is aimed at maintaining the dog’s immunity, which is weakened when infected with parasites. Vaccinations are only given to healthy pets that have been examined by a veterinarian.

Is it possible to walk a puppy after the first vaccination?

Vaccinations for kittens: what and when to do, at what age

Ideally, the first vaccination is given at two months of age. It is preceded by deworming two weeks before. To be sure, deworming tablets are given twice a week apart.

Walks

Despite their simplicity, vaccinations cause enormous stress to the young body. He has to become infected with all the introduced strains and overcome them. Over time, the dog acquires stable immunity to those strains that were introduced from the outside. This entire process, which is accompanied by complications, takes time. The puppy will need at least two to three weeks to recover.

During quarantine, you can continue walking. But you should not let the puppy fall to the ground. It is necessary to protect him from any communication with other animals. Only after making sure that your pet has fully recovered can you proceed to regular walks.

Shpakovskaya district hospital

Vaccination against Covid-19: how much time is allowed between injections and is it possible to interfere with the vaccine?

• June 12, 2022 22:11 Ivkin Arkadievich Valery

Author: Nikolai Voronin, BBC science correspondent

As mass vaccination against the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 continues around the world, new drugs, new questions about them, and new updated data on how certain categories of people tolerate vaccination, on the effectiveness of vaccines, identified side effects, the duration of the immunity being formed, and so on.

There is so much information on the Internet that it is very difficult to understand it. It is almost impossible for a person without special education to assess how trustworthy a particular source is. Even the most authoritative publications sometimes contradict each other, since doctors and scientists from all over the world have not yet reached a consensus on some issues.

The BBC Russian service continues to answer basic questions about vaccination that are most often asked in search engines. The latest update adds information about how long a break is allowed between two vaccinations, why there are two injections to mix different vaccines with each other if necessary how reliable protection against the virus can be provided by the first vaccine injection out of two. .

Why get vaccinated at all?

Vaccination is the most reliable way to protect yourself and your loved ones from severe Covid-19. Given the dynamics of the spread of coronavirus, sooner or later everyone will catch the infection, so it is better to prepare your body for it in advance and provide yourself with immune protection - at least partially (more about that here).

It is known that coronavirus is especially dangerous for people who already have a chronic disease: they may experience an autoimmune reaction (when, instead of a foreign virus, the body begins to attack its own healthy cells) and have a high risk of developing complications.

Therefore, it is especially strongly recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible for those who have problems with the lungs or bronchi, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes - however, you must first consult a doctor.

Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get sick from a vaccine injection: it does not contain viral particles capable of reproduction. Depending on the type of drug, it contains either an inactivated virus (the most traditional vaccination technology), or a fragment of its genetic code (vector vaccines), or artificially created proteins (peptide vaccines).

In any case, they are not able to penetrate inside the cells and provoke the development of infection. People who claim to have become ill as a result of vaccination could have become infected during the vaccination process (in transport on the road, in line for an injection, etc.), but not as a result of the administration of the vaccine.

We must not forget that even healthy people who have recovered from Covid-19 can carry and spread the virus. Therefore, precautions - primarily wearing a mask and distancing - must be observed not only before and during, but also after vaccination.

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PHOTO AUTHOR,REUTERS

Can I get vaccinated? What are the contraindications?

Like any other medicine, coronavirus vaccines have a list of contraindications, in which the administration of the drug can cause more harm than good.

Each specific vaccine has its own list, but so far almost nowhere are minors vaccinated (except for the United States, where Pfizer was allowed to inject adolescents over 12 years old), as well as pregnant and lactating women (according to many scientists, this is in vain - pregnant women urgently need to be included in the group risk) and people prone to severe allergic reactions.

In addition, individual intolerance to the components of a particular vaccine is possible - but this is extremely rare. In such cases, you will be recommended a different drug.

If you're in Russia, you'll likely be offered a shot of Sputnik V, which developers call "the world's first registered coronavirus vaccine."

The instructions for the drug say that it “can be used with caution in chronic liver and kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, severe diseases of the hematopoietic system, epilepsy, strokes and other diseases of the central nervous system, a history of myocardial infarction, cervical cancer, primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases , lung diseases, asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).”

Why are only adults vaccinated and children are not vaccinated?

Short answer: because no vaccine has been tested on them.

The new coronavirus pandemic took the world by surprise, so all vaccination drugs were developed and tested in an emergency, accelerated manner. In order to begin vaccination as soon as possible, the developers had to take a lot of risks and cut corners as much as possible on the most stringent requirements.

Some of them launched the drug into mass production even before the first results of clinical trials involving humans were obtained. But in the end, the path from the selection of experimental laboratory samples to the start of vaccination, which under normal conditions could take several decades, was completed in less than a year.

Because children are much more susceptible to infection and are much less at risk of serious risk if they become infected (and recruiting minors as volunteers requires much more effort), they were not initially included in clinical trials.

For exactly the same reason, vaccines approved for use in adults were initially not given to people over 60 or 65 years of age. There were no (or not enough) volunteers from this age group in the first group of clinical trial participants, so the developers could not draw conclusions about how effective and safe the vaccine would be for them.

In older people, Covid-19 is much more likely to be severe, so they were included in the studies immediately after they were carried out among healthier and younger adults. Now all the main vaccines, with the exception of AstraZeneca (in some countries), are also used to vaccinate the elderly.

Currently, several already approved coronavirus vaccines are being actively tested on minors. The head of Pfizer (its drug was urgently approved by WHO on December 31, 2022) said that the first vaccine for adolescents 12-16 years old will be registered in the fall, but in the United States they have already begun vaccinating teenagers. Preparations for vaccinating even younger children should be available before the end of the year.

PHOTO CREDIT,EPA

How safe is it for adults to get vaccinated then?

As much as only scientists can be sure of the safety of the vaccine.

On the one hand, the third, decisive phase of clinical trials of any vaccine has not yet been fully completed - even among adults. All announced results, including data on the effectiveness of a particular drug, are preliminary.

On the other hand, there is no more reliable evidence of the safety of a particular drug than the mass vaccination that is actively underway around the world.

In total, almost 1 billion people have already received at least one dose of the vaccine (of which almost 500 million people have already been fully vaccinated), so scientists have no doubt that none of the drugs widely used for vaccination pose a threat.

These include Covishield (AstraZeneka), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna, Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), two Chinese vaccines (BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac) and the Russian Sputnik V. However, the WHO has so far officially approved only the first six of them: Sputnik is undergoing additional checks.

The possibility of serious side effects that may pose a threat to health or even life (such as sudden thrombosis) cannot be completely excluded. However, they are so individual that they are impossible to predict, and so rare (see below) that the benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the potential risks.

What should you consider before vaccination? Are there any restrictions?

There are, but - apart from contraindications - there are relatively few of them.

The vaccine is not recommended for people who have any chronic diseases. those in the acute stage (including cancer patients), or any other acute infection in an active form (high temperature is a sufficient, but not obligatory sign of the presence of inflammation in the body).

Taking some hormonal drugs reduces the effectiveness of vaccination, but does not prevent it.

If the day before or a couple of days before the vaccination day you feel unwell - for any reason - it is better to postpone the vaccination.

In case of exacerbation of chronic diseases, it is recommended to vaccinate no earlier than two weeks after recovery or remission. If possible, it is better to wait a month. It’s even better to consult your doctor about this.

If we are talking about mild acute respiratory infections like the flu, you can get vaccinated earlier - soon after the patient’s temperature naturally normalizes and he (or she) stops taking pills.

Do not listen to people who advise taking some medicine the day before or immediately after the injection, supposedly to reduce the likelihood of side effects. Doctors say such advice is not only useless, but also very likely harmful. As a last resort, if you are very nervous before the vaccination, you can take a mild sedative.

PHOTO CREDIT, GETTY IMAGES

Which vaccine should I choose? Maybe it's better to wait?

Independent experts from different countries unanimously say that the best vaccine today is the one that is available to you personally. That is, any of those drugs that are officially approved for use in your region and are available.

There is only one exception to this general rule: if you have contraindications to a specific vaccine. In this case, it really makes sense to get vaccinated with another, safe drug, if it is available, or wait until it becomes available.

Important clarification: if you have any doubts about this (or any other issue related to vaccination), it is better not to rely on your own opinion or the advice of relatives, friends and acquaintances - even those with medical education.

Since the list of available vaccines depends greatly on the region, and each drug has its own contraindications (not to mention possible individual intolerance), it is better not to self-diagnose, but to contact a local physician (general practitioner) who knows you personally and your medical history.

As for new mutations of the virus, it is possible that at some point existing vaccines will partially or even completely lose their effectiveness, but at the time of this writing, all registered drugs provide effective protection against the virus.

What should you do after vaccination? What is possible and what is not?

After the vaccine is administered, you need to spend some time under the supervision of doctors - just in case, to exclude the possibility of a dangerous allergic reaction. However, even after this, it is better not to drive for the rest of the day.

Contrary to popular belief, completely abstaining from alcohol for a couple of weeks after vaccination is not included in the list of requirements. Doctors only advise, if possible, to refrain from drinking for a couple of days immediately after the injection, since alcohol in the blood prevents the formation of immunity from any disease. After this, you can return to normal mode (the main thing is not to overuse).

The rest of the recommendations also practically do not differ from those that doctors give after any vaccination. It is better not to wet or rub the injection site for one or two days; for several days you need to reduce physical (and, if possible, emotional) stress. And in general, do not forget that your body may be temporarily weakened: avoid hypothermia or overheating (say, in a bathhouse or sauna), as well as foods that can cause an allergic reaction.

PHOTO CREDIT,EPA

What side effects are possible?

Most people tolerate the vaccine without any special symptoms: mild weakness, pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, mild muscle discomfort, sometimes fever, and much less often mild chills, nausea, and possibly slight enlargement of the lymph nodes.

All these are absolutely normal reactions during the formation of immunity. The vaccinated person does not pose a danger to others at this time.

It is advised not to lower the temperature to 38 degrees. If it gets higher, you can take the antipyretic you usually use for a cold, preferably paracetamol. In rare cases, fever may last two to three days.

Serious side effects are extremely rare. For example, signs of thrombosis, according to the latest studies, appear in 4-5 people out of every million who received the vaccine (0.0005%) - against 39 cases for every million unvaccinated patients who recovered from coronavirus.

Thus, according to preliminary data, vaccination reduces the risk of coronavirus-related thrombosis (the infection, as we remember, will reach everyone) by approximately eight times.

When can I assume that the virus is no longer scary for me?

Almost all coronavirus vaccines available today (with the exception of Johnson & Johnson and the “light” version of Sputnik) require two doses. This means that some time after the first injection you will need to get a second one to enhance the protective effect.

In clinical trials, the second shot was given a few weeks after the first (usually 21 or 28 days), but it is very possible that you will be asked to postpone the second shot for a couple of months - or (in the case of Sputnik) even do without it altogether.

According to experts, it is still worth agreeing to the vaccine in this case: the first injection should trigger the body’s immune response and provide at least partial protection. It should be enough to exclude a severe course of the disease.

If after the first injection you catch a cold, it is better to postpone the second one a little (for how long - see here). Doctors say that a gap of up to two months is possible between the administration of the first and second doses - without any harm in terms of the effectiveness of the vaccine.

The maximum level of protection against coronavirus infection is achieved three to four weeks after the second injection, when full immunity is formed. However, even in this case, the vaccinated person can carry the virus without knowing it. So, if possible, even after vaccination, you should continue to wear a mask and keep your distance from others to protect them.

PHOTO CREDIT,EPA

What if I'm already sick? Do I need a vaccination?

Vaccination is strongly recommended only for those who have not yet been ill (or have been ill asymptomatically and do not know about it). If you know for sure that you have had Covid-19 in the last six months, it is better not to get vaccinated yet, but to wait at least a couple of months.

If you suspect that you have already had a coronavirus infection, but the diagnosis of Covid-19 has not been officially confirmed, it makes sense to do an antibody test before vaccination.

However, it must be remembered that the presence of antibodies is not a guarantee of protection. Scientists still don't know what level of antibodies provides reliable immunity—or how linear the relationship is.

There is a version that the key role in the fight against Covid-19 is played not by antibodies, but by cellular immunity: with the help of memory cells, the body seems to remember the infection and quickly produces the necessary antibodies when it encounters the virus again.

However, the immunity gained from a previous illness is different from the protection provided by a vaccine. Therefore, at some point - when more vulnerable groups of the population are vaccinated - even those who have been ill are strongly advised to get vaccinated.

In any case, doctors first recommend that those who have already been ill take a test for IgG antibodies and make sure that their level has dropped sufficiently.

Does it make sense to get vaccinated if the virus continues to mutate?

The short answer is, it certainly does.

Mutation - that is, a change at the genetic level under the influence of the external environment - is an integral and even defining characteristic of any living organism, from single-celled bacteria to you and me.

The virus is not alive, but it “comes to life” by entering a cell, where it begins to multiply, producing copies of itself. However, not all of them are identical to the original: during the assembly of each new viral particle, a failure may occur in the RNA chain, giving rise to a new variant of the virus.

Today, the number of viral genome variants in the world is measured in the thousands - however, vaccines developed long before the emergence of new strains nevertheless provide excellent protection against infection.

Scientists do not rule out that sooner or later the virus will mutate so much that some of the existing vaccination drugs will not be as effective. However, numerous studies (primarily RNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna) confirm that even in this case, the composition of the drug will most likely have to be changed only slightly, just as the flu vaccine is changed slightly every year).

In addition, research is actively underway on a combination of different vaccines: when the first injection is given with one drug, and the second with another. There is a version that this way the immune protection of vaccinated people will be even more reliable.

PHOTO AUTHOR,REUTERS

How long does the protection last? Will I have to get vaccinated again?

Scientists still do not have an exact answer to these questions, since Sars-Cov-2 was discovered only a year and a half ago. However, based on the dynamics of virus mutations and the experience of studying related pathogens, it can be assumed that immunity will not last very long.

According to the latest data, after suffering from the disease, a person remains immune to re-infection for at least eight to nine months, and most likely no less than a year - although this is a very individual indicator and this period can vary greatly from person to person.

However, as mentioned above, the immune protection acquired as a result of vaccination differs from natural immunity. According to scientists, the effect of the vaccine can last up to two years (and possibly longer). But we will know this for sure only in two years.

The main thing that every vaccinated person should be aware of is that the vaccine does not protect against infection, but against a severe course of the disease.

The vaccine actually reduces the likelihood of dying from coronavirus or ending up in intensive care to zero.

The possibility of ending up in hospital or having a mild form of Covid-19 at home after vaccination remains, but is greatly reduced.

What protection does the first vaccination provide—if at all?

The simple answer is that it does, but you shouldn’t count on it too much.

Firstly, immunity is not formed immediately after vaccination; it takes, depending on the type of vaccine received, from one and a half to two weeks.

During this time, the concentration of antibodies in the body (and therefore the degree of immune protection) slowly increases, and all the figures given below refer to the maximum level.

According to preliminary research data, the very first injection of the Comirnaty vaccine (aka Pfizer/BioNTech) reduces the risk of death from Covid-19 to zero - as well as the likelihood that, if infected, the vaccinated person will need hospitalization.

The level of protection against infection with coronavirus with relatively mild symptoms is estimated at at least 50%. However, some experts believe it is “at least 80% - and possibly more than 90%”, at least for three to four weeks after the first shot. The vaccine from Moderna shows very similar results. .

One jab of AstraZeneca's Oxford vaccine offers at least 70 per cent protection against Covid-19 infection (severe enough for someone infected to show symptoms) for at least three months.

The Russian Sputnik V provides approximately the same protection, since both vaccines are produced using very similar technology. Preliminary data show the effectiveness of the Sputnik Light vaccine (that is, just the first injection) at almost 80%, although the corresponding clinical trials are still ongoing and will only be completed by February 2022.

PHOTO CREDIT,EPA

Why then two injections at all?

The first injection of the vaccine triggers the formation of immunity. To be precise, the injection of a foreign protein (or another antigen - this, again, depends on the type of vaccine) causes the body to begin producing antibodies that can neutralize the “invader”.

However, as numerous studies show, antibodies alone are not enough for reliable protection against the virus. It is necessary for the body to remember the infection, that is, to store information about it in special “memory cells.”

Then, the next time they encounter a coronavirus, these cells can again start the antibody production pipeline, quickly organizing an effective immune response.

In addition, the so-called T-killer cells also play an important role in the fight against infection: they destroy infected cells of the body, preventing the virus from spreading further.

For this (to greatly simplify the scientific calculations) a second injection is needed. Some experts liken antibodies to a sword to fight infection, and T cells and memory cells to a shield to protect against it.

How long should it take between injections?

As for the interval between two vaccine injections, expert opinions differ somewhat. On the one hand, during clinical trials, volunteers received a second dose of the vaccine 2-3 weeks after the first - and the declared effectiveness figures were calculated precisely on the basis of this time interval between injections.

On the other hand, we must not forget that clinical trials of all vaccines were conducted under emergency, unprecedented conditions and the developers tried to save time as much as possible. So those same 2-3 weeks break is the minimum possible period between two injections, but in reality it can be longer.

Moreover, if you delay the second dose for a month or more, the effectiveness of the vaccine may be significantly higher. For example, a second shot of the Oxford vaccine within six weeks of the first provides overall protection of about 55%, and if it is delayed for three months, the effectiveness of the vaccine increases to 81%.

At the same time, it is not recommended to delay the second injection too much. WHO recommends that the period between two doses should not exceed 12 weeks.

All of the above can be summarized as follows. If at the vaccination point you were asked to come for the second dose of the vaccine in two weeks, come in two weeks. But if for some reason you missed the appointed time for the second injection, do not worry - it can be done after two or even three months.

PHOTO AUTHOR,REUTERS

Is it safe to mix vaccines?

The simple answer is yes, albeit with some caveats. The most important of them is that each vaccine has its own list of contraindications. So, if for some reason you decide to vaccinate again with a different drug, be sure to consult your doctor first.

Otherwise, research shows that mixing vaccines can be not only safe, but also beneficial.

For example, in volunteers who received the first injection with a vector vaccine from AstraZeneca, and the second (fixing) injection with an m-RNA vaccine from Pfizer, the concentration of specific antibodies in the body jumped on average by 30-40 times.

According to experts, mixing any two other vaccines produced using different technologies should work in exactly the same way - and to check this, it is not even necessary to conduct additional studies.

As Daniel Altman, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, assured Nature readers, this enhancing effect “absolutely follows from the basic principles of immunology.”

Link to original: https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-56739596?

Is it possible to walk a puppy after the second vaccination?

Regarding the question of when you can walk your puppy after the second vaccination, the conditions for the second vaccination do not differ from the first. Quarantine also lasts 2-3 weeks (3 weeks for rabies).

After a successful first vaccination, the young animal tolerates the second vaccinations more easily. In this sense, the post-vaccination period is easier. But this does not mean that there are no complications. The vaccination is an injection, so bumps will appear at the injection site. They need to be monitored. And the temperature will certainly rise.

Need to know ! Sometimes vaccination leads to allergic reactions. The procedure performed by a specialist guarantees the elimination of consequences. Therefore, you should not vaccinate yourself.

After the procedure (after 2 weeks), the specialist will definitely issue a certificate stating when and against what the vaccination was given. He will also tell you how many days after the second vaccination the puppy can go for walks. He will also clarify how much time you are allowed to walk in the first days.

When and how long can you walk with your newborn in winter?

Usually it is winter that raises the most questions for young mothers. Namely, they worry that the cold is dangerous for the newborn, and that the baby may catch a cold and get sick. How can we be here? Should I wait a couple of months or go out for a breath immediately after returning from the hospital?

Let's just say that all fears are in vain if the child is dressed correctly and warmly. Moreover, in winter it is much more convenient and easier to walk with a baby, because dressing warmly is the only problem and task of parents, which, as a rule, is not difficult to solve.

Advantages of walking in winter for a newborn:

1. You can go outside at any time of the day (there is no heat and stuffiness like in summer);
2. It is almost impossible to overheat a child, because he can lose all excess heat through breathing (inhales cold air, exhales warm air).
3. There are no insects from which the baby needs to be saved.

You may ask, at what temperature can you walk with a newborn? On the Internet you can find a huge number of options for answering this question. Everyone fantasizes as much as they like, to the extent of their thermophilic nature. They even go so far as to answer the question of when you can start walking with a newborn in the winter, but they do not recommend doing this if the thermometer shows below zero degrees and the child is under 2 months old. Naturally, this is complete absurdity.

Fresh air is important for children of any age, and especially for newborns! And no amount of ventilation can replace a full stay on the street or balcony. Western doctors have long been convinced that a child is comfortable outside in winter, even at fairly low temperatures, provided that he is warmly dressed.

To answer the question of how long you can walk with a newborn in winter, let’s turn to the official document - SanPin for preschool institutions dated May 15, 2013. According to this document, daily walks lasting 3-4 hours are recommended for children. If the air temperature is below minus 15 degrees, and the wind speed is stronger than 7 m per second, it is recommended to reduce walks (but not cancel them completely).

As a rule, for children under 4 years of age, walks are canceled if the air temperature is below minus 15 degrees, and at the same time the wind speed is stronger than 15 meters per second. And this happens very rarely.

So how long can you walk with a newborn in winter at different temperatures? Let’s collect all the information received in a table for clarity.

When answering the question whether it is possible to walk with a newborn in severe frost, it is worth first understanding whether this temperature for your area is truly anomalous (for example, minus 30 degrees in central Russia or the Urals), or standard, at which you will spend the next few days. 4-5 winter months (Siberia, Northern regions).

If the first option, then it is wiser not to be a hero and wait out the frost at home, ensuring comfortable conditions in the room where the child is, and regularly ventilating it.

And if you have to live at such temperatures, and they are not something out of the ordinary for you, then it is wiser to walk, at least a little and dress very warmly.

In addition, purchase in advance a special baby cream to protect your cheeks and nose from frost - it will protect delicate skin from chapping and frostbite.

Is contact with other puppies allowed?

During quarantine, communication with other puppies is not recommended. It's another matter if they are from the same litter and vaccinated at the same time.

Puppies

For the first and second vaccinations of a puppy, the quarantine period is at least 2 weeks. When immunized against rabies, this period is extended to 3 weeks.

The following rules must be followed:

• walk exclusively with a puppy in your arms;
• avoid walking areas of other dogs;
• no bathing;
• Avoid contact with street shoes and door mats.

Possible complications

Like any living beings, dogs tolerate vaccinations differently. The severity of the disease depends on the initial health of the pet, individual characteristics, and conditions of detention. In any case, this is an infection of the puppy with strains of pathogens of the most dangerous diseases.

After vaccination, you may encounter the following changes and manifestations:

• A bump on the withers. After the injection it always appears. The danger is its increase in size and change in color. It is best to share your doubts with a specialist.
• The puppy became lethargic. Within normal limits, the temperature rises to 39 degrees for a maximum of 3 days. Any deviation towards worsening the condition requires medical intervention.

Complications after vaccination

• Diarrhea. This is the most common occurrence. In this way, the body is freed from toxins. You need to monitor the temperature. With diarrhea it increases slightly. Diarrhea leads to severe dehydration. You need to monitor your water consumption. If the puppy does not drink and diarrhea, you need expert advice.
• The baby whines. This is the reaction of a living organism to pain, itching and other unpleasant sensations after an injection. If the temperature does not exceed the permissible level, your pet should be cared for as usual.
• The dog is limping. Lameness is a reaction to pain. You need to monitor your pet's temperature and general well-being.
• The dog has no appetite. She loses her appetite due to toxins. Usually the situation improves within 24 hours.

Need to know ! Refusal to eat for more than a day is dangerous for the animal. Need expert advice.

Vaccination is a difficult ordeal for a small puppy. The weaker the immune system, the more difficult recovery is. But vaccinations are aimed at maintaining the health of the pet. If you follow all the recommendations of a specialist, mandatory vaccinations will guarantee a long, happy life for your dog.

What should I dress my child in?

The principle of selecting clothing is based on its suitability to weather conditions. If it’s hot outside, the baby can be dressed in a bodysuit (or blouse). Very young children are usually covered with a light diaper. Accordingly, cooler weather requires that the baby wear rompers, additional blouses, a suit and a hat. More convenient are modern overalls, which replace several things at once and are convenient for quickly dressing a child. Overalls can be winter, demi-season and very light (made of thin knitwear, so-called slip overalls).

Winter overalls in combination with a sleepsuit or blouse and rompers are used at air temperatures below +5°C.

Some mothers prefer to use envelopes for walking with their children in the first weeks of life. Envelopes also come in different varieties - from a lightweight version (for example, made from fleece fabric) to a rather warm, fur one.