Vaccinations
What are vaccines?
Vaccines are preparations that stimulate a person’s immune system to produce immunity to diseases and infections by stimulating the body to produce antibodies. Vaccines can do this because they contain agents that resemble the disease-causing organism it is trying to prevent. These agents either are weakened or killed versions of the microbe, one of the toxins the microbe produces or a protein that is part of the microbe. Vaccination has been the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases and has been responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox.
Historical reference
The theory of “vaccination” has been around since the 10th century in China. The Chinese practiced the method of variolation, where they would blow powdered smallpox material up the nostrils.
In the 1760s, Edward Jenner, an apprentice working as a surgeon/apothecary, noted that farmworkers were not affected by the fatal smallpox epidemic because they had already been exposed to cowpox, a similar, but a much milder virus.
The now-famous Louis Pasteur developed vaccines for cholera and anthrax. Since then, we have seen the introduction of several vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and smallpox. Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s due to vaccination.
Why are vaccines recommended? Are they safe?
Because of the reasons mentioned above, we can see why vaccines play such a vital role in preventing life-threatening diseases. Many of these diseases cause serious complications. For example, polio causes paralysis of arms, legs, and respiratory muscles. Due to the respiratory side effects, children can die from not being able to breathe. Thankfully, due to widespread vaccination, polio has been eliminated in the US!
Vaccines go through an extensive process of testing and becoming approved for use in the US. The FDA tests every vaccine in clinical trials that assess safety, dosing, and side effects. Several committees meet to determine safety, efficacy, number needed to treat, and seriousness of the disease. Once these vaccines are deemed safe and effective, they are ready to be recommended by the CDC.
Many parents and patients worry about the ingredients in vaccines. Each ingredient plays a specific role in the vaccination process, including vaccine preservation, preventing contamination from bacteria or fungus; and stabilizers vaccine stabilization to allow the active ingredients to continue to work. Active ingredients are either antigens or adjuvants which is what gives our bodies the actual immunity we need.
More information about potential side effects available here.
Why did the “Anti-vaxxer” movement start?
In 1997, Andrew Wakefield published a study in The Lancet that suggested that the MMR vaccine, precisely an ingredient called Thimerosal, increased the risk of autism in children. Since then, the paper has been discredited due to financial conflicts of interest, ethical violations, and procedural errors. Nine CDC-funded studies conducted since then have found NO link between Thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, or the MMR vaccine and autism.
More information available from the CDC.
Who should be vaccinated?
Ideally, everyone should be up to date on all immunizations. However, they are of great value to vulnerable populations such as infants/children, elderly patients, patients with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women to remain updated with immunizations. Vaccines can either begin to prime the immune system or offer extra protection in cases of immunosuppression.
What vaccines are important for healthcare workers?
Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Tdap, and varicella are recommended for all healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, ER personnel, dental professionals, lab techs, pharmacists, hospital volunteers, and even administrative staff. Meningococcal is recommended for those who are routinely exposed to N. Meningitis isolates.
Other Resources for Vaccines
CDC Vaccine Information Statements