Vaccination Flashcards
4 types of immunity
Passive immunity
Active immunity:
•Natural Active Immunity
•Artificial Active Immunity
What is passive immunity
Produced by introduction of antibodies into individuals from an outside source. No direct contact with pathogen is required to induce immunity. As antibodies not from organism, they are not replaced
What is active immunity
Produced by stimulation production of antibodies by immune system via direct contact with pathogen or antigen
What is natural active immunity
Body produces own antibodies after infection in normal circumstances
What is Artificial Active Immunity
Forms basis of immunisation from vaccination. Involved inducing an immune response in an individual without suffering symptoms of disease
Vaccination
The introduction of the appropriate disease antigens into the body in order to stimulate an immune response
Features of successful vaccination programme
Economically available in sufficient quantities
Few side effects
Means of producing, storing and transport
Means of administering properly - training
Possible to vaccinate majority of vulnerable community
What is herd immunity
When a sufficiently large proportion of the population has been vaccinated to make it difficult for a pathogen to spread within that population
High improbability infected person will encounter susceptible person
Babies and young children vunerable
Why vaccination may not eliminate disease
Does not cause immunity within individuals with defective immune system
Individuals may develop disease after vaccine before immunity reached
Pathogen mutates
Many varieties of pathogen
Some people against vaccination - religious ethical or medical
Certain pathogens hide from immune system
Ethics of vaccine
side effects with long term harm
Use of animals
Who vaccines tested on
Should it be compulsory?
Should vaccines continue when disease incidence low?
