Intro to case Flashcards
describe the background of vaccines
- estimated 2-3 million deaths avoided per year
- can significantly reduce child mortality
- have reduced morbidity associated with diseases and eradicated diseases
what are the characteristics of smallpox
- variola virus
- highly contagious
- blistering rash, blindness, arthritis
- mortality 30-50% from variola major strain
what are the characteristics of cowpox
- vaccinia virus, related to smallpox but causes milder infections
- Dr Edward jenner noted dairy milkmaids contracted cowpox but not smallpox
- inoculated a boy with cowpox and once mild infection cleared, he later inoculated him with smallpox twice, with no reaction
what is the primary purpose of a vaccine
to protect the individual from infectious diseases that can cause significant harm
describe what is meant by herd immunity
- vaccinated individuals are less threat to others as disease can’t spread as much, reducing outbreaks
- if enough members of the population are vaccinated, can eradicate the disease completely from that community
what is the WHO smallpox eradication programme
- in 1980, smallpox was eradicated worldwide
- return of virus is unlikely
what is the Joint committee on vaccination and immunisation
- specialist branch of UK health security agency
- responsible for monitoring and updating the vaccination schedule
- make recommendations to government about all matters relating to vaccination
- publish and update the Green book
what affects groups targeted in the NHS schedule
groups are targeted according to susceptibility and risk
give examples of the vaccinations needed for babies at 2,3 and 4 months old
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- pertussis
- polio
- haemophilus influenzae type B
- hepatitis B
- rotavirus
- meningitis B
what factors does the JCVI take into account when deciding
- the susceptible populations
- the diseases themselves
- pharmaceutical issues and the vaccine products
what should be taken into account when looking at susceptible populations
- age- babies lack immunity, older peoples immunity declines over time
- risk category- some people more at risk of serious illness than others
- social changes- children starting school, young adults starting university
- public/media campaigns/new research
what should be taken into account when looking at the diseases themselves
- prevalence of organisms and environmental factors
- sudden outbreaks of disease
- desire to increase herd immunity
- prevention of other risks related to the diseases- more serious complications
what should be taken into account when looking at pharmaceutical issues
- costs of mass manufacturing vs effectiveness of vaccine programme
- antigenic drift or shift meaning new strains become prevalent
- if vaccine product is able to be produced
- how quickly vaccine needs to be produced- sudden outbreaks
give examples of vaccination risks
- mild illness, fever and rashes
- pain, redness, swelling, tenderness at injection site
- vaccine failure, insufficient immune response
- small anaphylactic risk
- can be related to excipients or antigen
give examples of the benefits of vaccination
- saves lives
- herd immunity benefits for those who can’t be vaccinated or are more vulnerable (infants, elderly, pregnant women)
- eliminates the disease in some cases
- easier, safer and more convenient than contracting the disease and having to treat it
