vaccines Flashcards
define immunisation
programming the immune system so that the body can respond rapidly to infecting micro-organisms
define vaccination
introduction of antigens to a person so that they acquire immunity without suffering from the illness
define vaccine
an antigen/pathogen preparation used in artificial immunisation
define living attenuated vaccine
Microorganisms which contain weakened pathogens that have a reduced ability to produce disease symptoms
- person does not contract the disease but manufactures antibodies against the antigen.
- longer immunity
= polio, tuberculosis, rubella, measles
define inactivated vaccine
produce immunity that is shorter-lasting than immunization using live attenuated micro-organisms
= cholera, typhoid, whooping cough
define toxoid vaccine
contains inactivated bacterial toxins
= diphtheria, tetanus
define sub-unit vaccine
contains fragments of a whole organism, collecting only those portions that contain the desired antigens
= newer typhoid and whooping cough
define recombinant DNA vaccine
Made with genetic engineering techniques by inserting certain DNA sequences from the pathogen into harmless bacterial cells or yeast to produce the desired antigenic fraction of the pathogen
= hepatitis B
what are the four types of vaccines?
- living attenuated vaccine
- inactived vaccine
- toxoid vaccines
- sub-unit vaccine
how are vaccines delivered?
syringe lumps of sugar (polio only) nasal spray (influenza) skin patches food vaccines
what are the 2 risks to vaccines?
- allergic reaction to the medium in which the vaccine was cultured
- preservatives and chemicals may be linked with neurological disorders
list 5 social ethics linked with vaccines
- use of animals
- use of human tissue
- informed consent
- promoting sexual activity in teenagers
- availability
describe the ethical concern of vaccines in regard to the use of animals to produce vaccines
- viral vaccines require host tissue
- concern about treatment of animals
describe the ethical concern of vaccines in regard to the use of humans to produce vaccines
- require huamn tissue because some viruses that causse disease in humans do noot grow well in cells derived from other species
- avoids provlems of cross-species infection
- conern in the way human tissue will be collected
describe the ethical concern of vaccines in regard to informed consent
- during trialling of vaccines
- low education standards in developing countries means risks involved in the testing of might not be understood
describe the ethical concerns of vaccines in regard to promoting sexual activity
- people believe that vaccinating against STI’s = encourage teenagers to be sexually active
describe the ethical concerns of vaccines in regard to availability
- vaccines may no be readily available in all areas
describe 1 cultural ethic of vaccines
religious beliefs
- many are opposed to vaccines
- rely on faith in healing and healing through prayer
- methods used may contradict beliefs
describe 2 economic ethics of vaccines
cost = too expensive commercialisation = interests of commercial vacccine production may affect it sue
what is herd immunity?
group immunity that occurs when such a high proportion of people in a population are
immunized, that those who are not immunized are therefore protected
what is a booster shot?
The first dose of a vaccine won’t enable produce enough B-cells to become activated
- are required to activate more B-cells = more antibodies are made = greater protection against the particular pathogen.
