Topical issues of immunoprophylaxis of tuberculosis

According to the formula presented by WHO, it is possible to prevent and stop the development of an epidemic of an infectious disease only when at least 90 % of the population is covered by vaccination against this type of pathogen, provided that at least 95 % of vaccinated persons develop appropriate immunity. Tuberculosis refers to diseases associated with the impact of unfavorable socio-economic factors that have a negative influence on the immune status of an individual. In light of the recent debate about the benefits and harms of vaccination, more and more parents are refusing to immunize their children, as a result of which they not only can get infected themselves, but also become a source of infection for others. Taking this fact into account, it is essential to ensure the quality of the administered vaccine and its safety, the ability to induce protective immunity and generate a long-lasting immune memory for the corresponding antigen. Vaccination against tuberculosis does not completely eliminate the risk of infection, however, the disease in those who received the vaccine proceeds in a milder form; in this category of patients, such severe manifestations as tuberculous meningitis or miliary tuberculosis are practically not encountered. Clinical research data show that among children who have not received timely vaccination against tuberculosis, the risk of getting infected is 15 times higher than among those who received immunization in full and as early as possible. Federal Law of September 17, 1998 No. 157-FZ «On the immunization of infectious diseases» provides for the mandatory vaccination against nine infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. In countries with a low prevalence of tuberculosis, where the incidence does not exceed 10 cases per 100,000 of population, vaccination against tuberculosis is carried out for medical reasons.