Childhood Immunisations Flashcards
How do we measure the effectiveness of vaccines?
Antibodies (measurement of correlate of protection but does it measure whether the vaccine works)
Epidemiological assessment
How do they ensure that vaccines are safe?
Animal trials
Human trials (prequalification)
Post marketing surveillance
Efficacy monitoring - are the biologicals in the vaccine correct - National Institute of Biological Standards And Control
What are vaccines good?
When immunisation rates are high, the wider community is protected including:
Infants who are too young to have vaccines.
Older adults at risk of serious disease
People who are immunosuppressed.
Why is immunisation good?
One of the most cost-effective ways to save lives.
Saves 2-3 million lives every year.
What ate the broad (indirect) effects of vaccines?
Prevent illness and reduces burden on healthcare system.
Not being ill means that children’s cognitive skills improve quicker.
The physical strength of a child develops quicker
School performance is improved
What are the benefits of vaccine?
Saving on medical expenditure
Increasing parents’ productive time
Household benefits
Immunological value
Reduce anti-microbial resistance
How have the number cases of meningitis changes since introducing vaccines?
A vaccine was introduced for B and this strain decrease but, as a consequence W and C and Y increased. So, ACWY vaccine was introduced to decrease all meningococcal disease.
How has the number of measles cases changed?
Vaccine introduced in 1968 - measles decreased
Late 90s - Andrew Wakefield - MMR = Autism (unsafe) so now measles.
Spread rumours that vaccines are unsafe so lots of people unvaccinated and lots more diseases.
What is vaccine hesitancy?
Vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services.
Vaccine hesitancy is complex and context specific varying across time, place and vaccine. It includes factors such as complacency, convenience and confidence.
