Vaccines

• What does it mean to be ‘immune’?

  Ability to resist infection
• Under what circumstances does someone become immune?

  When their immune system resists infection
• What are the two forms of immunity?

  Passive and active immunity
• What is passive immunity?

  Introduction of antibodies from an outside source
• What does ‘resist’ imply in the context of immunity?

  To prevent infection from occurring
• How do antibodies from a mother provide immunity?

  They give immediate immunity to the infant
• What is the nature of vaccines?

  They stimulate an immune response
• What does the introduction of antibodies from an outside source imply about immunity duration?

  It provides temporary immunity without memory cells
• What is active immunity?

  Produced by stimulating antibody production
• What is natural active immunity?

  Immunity from natural infection
• Under what circumstances does an individual's immune system produce antibodies?

  When exposed to pathogens or vaccines
• What is artificial active immunity?

  Immunity from vaccination without symptoms
• What is the purpose of vaccination?

  To stimulate an immune response
• What is the role of memory cells in vaccination?

  They allow a faster response to future infections
• What is herd immunity?

  Protection of unvaccinated individuals in a population
• How is herd immunity achieved?

  By vaccinating a large proportion of the population
• Why is it important to achieve herd immunity?

  It reduces pathogen spread in the community
• Why is it difficult to vaccinate every individual in a population?

  Due to individual objections and logistics
• Why is it difficult to eradicate a disease?

  Due to defective immune systems and mutations
• What is antigenic variability?

  Pathogens mutate and change shape
• How does antigenic variation affect vaccination?

  It creates multiple versions of the same pathogen
• How can pathogens hide from the immune system?

  By residing in cells or tissues
• What ethical issues are associated with vaccination programs?

  Use of animals and individual health risks
• What is the significance of balancing side effects against disease risks?

  To ensure public safety and acceptance
• What was the TGN1412 trial?

  A controversial human trial for a drug
• Should vaccination be compulsory?

  It depends on public health considerations
• How do we know when a disease is almost eradicated?

  By monitoring infection rates and immunity
• How can individual health risks be balanced against population benefits?

  By considering the greater good and risks
• What determines the success of a vaccination program?

  • Availability of vaccines
  • Public acceptance and trust
  • Effective communication of benefits
  • Monitoring and evaluation of outcomes
• What are the features of an effective vaccination program?

  • Economically available in sufficient quantities
  • Minimal side effects
  • Means of producing, storing, and transporting
  • Proper administration of vaccines
  • Achieving herd immunity
• What are the ethical issues associated with vaccination programs?

  • Use of animals in vaccine development
  • Balancing side effects against disease risks
  • Compulsory vaccination debates
  • Individual objections for various reasons
• What are the challenges in eradicating diseases through vaccination?

  • Defective immune systems
  • Immediate transmissibility post-vaccination
  • Antigenic variability of pathogens
  • Pathogens hiding from the immune system