Vaccination and Health: 50% Protection against Diseases

Vaccination and health: 50% protection against diseases (and more?): Deep analysis

Section 1: Fundamentals of immunity and vaccination principles

1. Inborn immunity: the first line of defense.

   • Definition: Congenital immunity is a non -specific defense of the body present from birth and not requiring a preliminary meeting with the pathogen. This is the first line of defense, which quickly responds to a wide range of threats.
   • Mechanisms:
     • Physical barriers: Leather, mucous membranes, tears, saliva containing enzymes that destroy bacteria.
     • Chemical barriers: Low pH of the stomach, lysozyme in tears, interferons.
     • Cell components:
       • Phagocytes (macrophages, neutrophils): Seeing and destroying pathogens.
       • Natural killers (NK cells): Destroy infected cells and cancer cells.
       • Dendritic cells: Represent antigens adaptive immunity.
     • Inflammation: A comprehensive process mobilizing immune cells to the place of infection, accompanied by redness, edema, heat and pain.
   • Restrictions: Congenital immunity does not have immunological memory and does not provide long -term protection against specific pathogens.

2. Adaptive immunity: specific and long -term protection.

   • Definition: Adaptive immunity is a specific body protection that develops in response to a meeting with a specific pathogen (antigen). It is characterized by high specificity and immunological memory.
   • Mechanisms:
     • Cellular immunity (T-lymphocytes):
       • T-Helpers (CD4+): Coordinate the immune response, activate other immune cells (B-lymphocytes, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes).
       • Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CD8+): Destroy infected cells, recognizing antigens presented on the surface of the cells.
       • Regulatory T-lymphocytes (Treg): Sold the immune response, preventing autoimmune reactions.
     • Humoral immunity (B-lymphocytes):
       • B-lymphocytes: They produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that are associated with antigens, neutralize pathogens and facilitate their destruction by phagocytes and other immune cells.
       • Plasmatic cells: Differentiated B-lymphocytes that actively produce antibodies.
       • B-cells of memory: Provide a quick and effective immune reaction when a second meeting with the same antigen.
   • Immunological memory: The ability of the immune system to quickly and effectively respond to re -meeting with the antigen, due to the presence of memory cells.
   • Acquisition of adaptive immunity:
     • Active immunity: It is produced in response to infection or vaccination.
     • Passive immunity: It is transmitted from mother to child (through placenta or breast milk) or by introducing ready -made antibodies (for example, immunoglobulin).

3. Antigens: key targets of the immune system.

   • Definition: Antigen is any substance that can cause an immune response, that is, to be recognized by the immune system and stimulate the production of antibodies or activation of T-lymphocytes.
   • Types of antigens:
     • Exogenous antigens: They penetrate the body from the outside (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, allergens).
     • Endogenous antigens: Formed inside cells (viral proteins, tumor antigens).
     • Autoantigens: Own proteins of the body, which can cause autoimmune reactions.
   • Epitopes: Parts of antigen, which are directly recognized by antibodies and T-cell receptors.
   • Factors affecting the immunogenicity of the antigen: Size, complexity of structure, foreignness, method of administration, genetic predisposition of the body.

4. Vaccination principles: artificial creation of immunity.

   • Definition: Vaccination (immunization) is the process of introducing antigenic material (vaccines) into the body in order to stimulate active immunity to a particular disease.
   • The mechanism of action: The vaccine imitates the infection without causing the disease, but at the same time stimulates the immune system to the production of antibodies and memory cells. In a subsequent meeting with this pathogen, the immune system reacts quickly and effectively, preventing or softening the course of the disease.
   • Vaccines:
     • Live Athene -vaccines: They contain weakened (attenuated) living microorganisms that can cause an immune response, but do not lead to the development of the disease in people with normal immunity. Examples: vaccines against measles, rubella, pigs (MMR), chickenpox, rotavirus infection.
     • Inactivated (killed) vaccines: They contain killed microorganisms or their fragments that are not able to reproduce in the body, but stimulate the immune response. Examples: vaccines against poliomyelitis (salk), flu, hepatitis A.
     • Substimate vaccines: They contain only individual antigens (proteins, polysaccharides) of pathogen, which can cause an immune response. Examples: vaccines against hepatitis B, pneumococcal infection, meningococcal infection.
     • Toxoid vaccines: Contain inactivated toxins produced by bacteria, which stimulate the production of antibodies that neutralize toxins. Examples: vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria.
     • Conjugated vaccines: They contain polysaccharide antigens that are covalently associated with a carrier protein, which enhances the immune response, especially in young children. Example: a vaccine against a hemophilic infection type B (HIB).
     • MRNC-vaccines: Contain an MRNA that encodes the antigenic protein of the pathogen. After introducing the human cells into the body, this protein synthesize, which causes an immune response. Examples: vaccines against the Covid-19 (Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna).
     • Vector vaccines: They contain the genetic material of the pathogen, built into a safe viral vector, which brings it into human cells, where antigenic protein is synthesized, which causes an immune response. Examples: Vaccines against Covid-19 (Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson).
   • Adjunds: Substances added to vaccines to enhance the immune response. Examples: Aluminum salts, MF59.
   • Vaccination schedule: The recommended schedule for the introduction of vaccines to ensure optimal protection against infectious diseases in different age periods.
   • Collective immunity: Protection against infectious diseases that occurs when a sufficiently large share of the population has immunity (as a result of vaccination or infection), which prevents the spread of pathogens.

Section 2: Vaccines efficiency: factors and indicators

1. Determining the effectiveness of the vaccine.

   • Relative efficiency: The percentage decrease in the incidence among vaccinated compared to unevaccinated people in controlled clinical trials. Calculated by the formula: (1 - (Заболеваемость среди вакцинированных / Заболеваемость среди невакцинированных)) * 100%.
   • Real effectiveness: Reflects the effectiveness of the vaccine in real conditions, and not in ideal conditions of clinical trials. It may be lower than relative effectiveness, due to various factors (for example, differences in the state of health, age, lifestyle of vaccinated and non-evacuated people).
   • Protection against infection, disease and severe complications: Vaccines can protect against infection (preventing pathogen infection), disease (preventing the development of symptoms) or severe complications (preventing hospitalization, disability, death).

2. Factors affecting the effectiveness of vaccines.

   • Vaccine characteristics:
     • Vaccine type: Living Athenoated vaccines usually provide longer and more severe protection than inactivated vaccines.
     • Antigenic composition: It is important that the vaccine contains antigens that correspond to the circulating strains of the pathogen (especially for viruses that quickly mutate, such as the influenza virus).
     • Dosage and introduction mode: Some vaccines require several doses to achieve optimal immunity.
     • Adjunds: The presence of adjuvants can significantly strengthen the immune response.
   • Characteristics of a vaccinated person:
     • Age: The immune response to vaccines can be less strong in infants and elderly people.
     • Health status: People with weakened immunity (for example, due to HIV infection, chemotherapy, intake of immunosuppressants) can have a reduced immune response to vaccines.
     • Genetic factors: A genetic predisposition can affect the immune response to vaccines.
     • Previous immunity: The previous infection or vaccination can affect the immune response to subsequent vaccination.
   • Environmental factors:
     • Conditions for storage and transportation of the vaccine: Incorrect storage or transportation of the vaccine can lead to its inactivation and decrease in efficiency.
     • The prevalence of the disease: In regions with a high prevalence of vaccine disease, it can be more effective than in regions with low prevalence.

3. Measurement and interpretation of vaccines efficiency.

   • Clinical trials: Gold standard for evaluating vaccines effectiveness. In clinical trials, vaccinated and non -vaccinated groups are compared in frequency of incidence.
   • Observation studies: Studies that observe the incidence among vaccinated and unevacidized groups in real conditions. Observation studies can be subject to displacement (for example, vaccinated people can be more healthy and more prone to observing prevention measures).
   • Immunogenicity: The ability of the vaccine to cause an immune response (measured by determining the level of antibodies or activating T-lymphocytes). Immunogenicity does not always correlate with the effectiveness of the vaccine (for example, some vaccines can cause a strong immune response, but not provide sufficient protection against the disease).
   • The validity of the immunity: Duration of protection provided by the vaccine. Some vaccines provide lifelong protection, while others require repeated vaccination (booster doses) to maintain immunity.
   • Meribility and mortality indicators: A decrease in the incidence and mortality from vaccinated infections is an important indicator of the effectiveness of vaccines at the population level.

4. The effectiveness of vaccines against mutating viruses (flu, Covid-19).

   • Antigenic drift: Small changes in the genetic code of the virus that occur gradually over time. Antigenic drift can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, since antibodies developed in response to previous strains of the virus can be less effective against new strains.
   • Antigenic shift: Sharp changes in the genetic code of the virus, which lead to the appearance of completely new strains of the virus. Antigenic shift can lead to pandemia, since the population does not have immunity to new strains.
   • Development of vaccines against mutating viruses:
     • Annual flu vaccination: The composition of the flu vaccine is annually updated on the basis of forecasts about which virus strains will circulate in the next season.
     • Booster doses of vaccines against Covid-19: Boster doses of vaccines against the Covid-19 can increase the level of antibodies and provide protection against new virus options.
     • Development of universal vaccines: Universal vaccines are vaccines that provide protection against a wide range of virus strains, including future mutations. The development of universal vaccines is a difficult task, but active research is underway in this area.

Section 3: Influence of vaccination on public health and public welfare

1. Liquidation and elimination of infectious diseases.

   • Liquidation: Complete and constant termination of the transmission of an infectious agent around the world. Example: The elimination of smallpox.
   • Elimination: Continuation of the transmission of an infectious agent in a certain geographical region. Examples: elimination of poliomyelitis in most countries of the world, the elimination of measles in some regions.
   • The role of vaccination in liquidation and elimination: Vaccination is a key tool for achieving the elimination and elimination of infectious diseases. High vaccination coverage creates collective immunity, which prevents the spread of pathogen and protects even those who cannot be vaccinated (for example, babies, people with weakened immunity).
   • Examples of successful vaccination:
     • Smallpox: It was liquidated thanks to the global vaccination program conducted under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO).
     • Polio: It is on the verge of liquidation thanks to a global initiative to eliminate poliomyelitis (GPEI).
     • Measles: Eliminated in many countries, but outbreaks periodically occur due to a decrease in vaccination coverage.

2. Reducing the incidence and mortality from vaccinated infections.

   • Vaccination as an economically effective health measure: Vaccination is one of the most economically effective health measures to prevent many diseases and deaths.
   • Examples of reducing incidence and mortality:
     • Hemophylous infection type b (Hib): HIB vaccination has led to a sharp decrease in the incidence of meningitis and other severe infections caused by HIB in young children.
     • Pneumococcal infection: Vaccination against pneumococcal infection reduced the incidence of pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media in children and the elderly.
     • Measles: Caria vaccination prevents millions of cases of disease and deaths annually.
     • Human papilloma virus (HPV): HPV vaccination reduces the incidence of cervical cancer and other types of cancer associated with HPV.
   • The influence of vaccination on life expectancy and quality of life: Vaccination helps to increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life, preventing diseases and disability.

3. Economic benefits of vaccination.

   • Direct economic benefits:
     • Reducing treatment costs: Vaccination reduces the need for medical services (for example, visiting a doctor, hospitalization, medicine) for the treatment of vaccinated infections.
     • Reducing the cost of prevention: Vaccination can be more economically effective than other preventive measures (for example, insulation of patients, quarantine).
   • Indirect economic benefits:
     • Improving labor productivity: Vaccination reduces the incidence, which leads to a decrease in work passes and increased labor productivity.
     • Improving education: Vaccination reduces the incidence of children, which leads to an improvement in school attendance and performance.
     • Reducing burden on the healthcare system: Vaccination reduces the load on the healthcare system, freeing resources for the treatment of other diseases.
   • Analysis of “cost-effectiveness” vaccination: The analysis of “cost-effectiveness” is used to assess the economic efficiency of vaccination by comparing the cost of vaccination with the benefits obtained from the prevention of diseases.

4. Vaccination and social equality.

   • Vaccination as a tool for reducing inequality in health: Vaccination can help reduce the inequality in health, providing protection against infectious diseases for all, regardless of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity or geographical location.
   • Vulnerable groups of the population: Vulnerable groups of the population (for example, children from poor families, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees) are often at a greater risk of infection with vaccinated infections due to limited access to medical services and other factors.
   • Target vaccination programs: Target vaccination programs can be an effective way to cover vulnerable groups of the population and provide them with access to vaccines.
   • Elimination of vaccination barriers: It is important to eliminate the barriers for vaccination, such as the lack of information, the geographical inaccessibility of medical services, the high cost of vaccines and distrust of the healthcare system.

Section 4: risks and side effects of vaccination: debunking myths

1. Real risks of vaccination: rare, but possible.

   • Local reactions: Pain, redness, swelling at the injection site. Usually pass on their own within a few days.
   • System reactions: Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle pain. Usually light and short -term.
   • Allergic reactions: Rare but possible. Allergic reactions can vary from the lungs (rash, itching) to severe (anaphylaxia). Anaphilaxia is a serious allergic reaction that requires immediate medical care.
   • Other rare side effects: In very rare cases, vaccines can cause other side effects, such as convulsions, neurological disorders, thrombocytopenia.
   • Risk and benefit ratio: It is important to understand that the risk of serious side effects of vaccines is extremely low compared to the risk of serious complications from vaccinated infections.

2. Vaccination myths: debunking unreasonable statements.

   • Myth: vaccines cause autism. Numerous studies have shown that there is no connection between vaccines and autism. This myth was based on a fabricated study, which was revoked and discredited.
   • Myth: vaccines overload the immune system. The human immune system is constantly exposed to many antigens from the environment. Vaccines contain only a small amount of antigens that do not overload the immune system.
   • Myth: Natural immunity is better than the immunity obtained as a result of vaccination. Although the natural immunity obtained as a result of the infection can be long, it is also associated with the risk of developing serious complications of the disease. Vaccines provide protection against diseases without the risk of complications.
   • Myth: vaccines contain hazardous substances. Vaccines are strict security control and contain only the necessary ingredients in safe quantities. Some vaccines contain preservatives such as thiomersal, but studies have shown that Tiomersal is not a health hazard.
   • Myth: vaccines are not needed, because the diseases have already disappeared. Vaccination is necessary to maintain collective immunity and prevent the return of vaccinated infections. If coverage of vaccination is reduced, diseases can return and cause flashes.

3. Vaccines safety monitoring systems.

   • VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System): The reporting system for adverse events after vaccination in the United States. Vaers is a passive system, that is, reports are submitted by doctors, patients or members of their families.
   • VICP (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program): A program for compensation for damage from vaccines in the United States. VICP provides compensation to people who are injured as a result of vaccination.
   • GACVS (Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety): Global Consultative Committee for Vaccines Security at WHO. GACVS evaluates vaccines safety and provides WHO recommendations.
   • The role of security monitoring systems: Vaccines safety monitoring systems play an important role in identifying and investigating potential side effects of vaccines, as well as in ensuring vaccines safety.

4. Informed consent and the right to rejection of vaccination.

   • Informed consent: The principle according to which patients have the right to receive complete and reliable information about medical procedures, including vaccination, before consent to their conduct.
   • Responsibilities of medical workers: Medical workers are required to provide patients with information about the benefits and risks of vaccination, as well as answer their questions.
   • The right to rejection of vaccination: In most countries, patients have the right to refuse vaccination, but this right may be limited in certain situations (for example, during outbreaks of infectious diseases).
   • Ethical considerations: Refusal of vaccination can pose a threat to the health of the person himself and for the health of others, especially vulnerable population groups.

Section 5: Future of vaccination: new technologies and challenges

1. New types of vaccines: MRNA, DNA, vector vaccines.

   • MRNC-vaccines: Contain an MRNA that encodes the antigenic protein of the pathogen. After introducing the human cells into the body, this protein synthesize, which causes an immune response. Advantages: quick development, high efficiency, lack of risk of integration in the genome. Examples: vaccines against the Covid-19 (Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna).
   • DNA vaccines: Contain DNA that encodes the antigenic protein of the pathogen. After introducing DNA into the body, it penetrates into the cells, where it is transcribed into the MRNU, and then broadcast into antigenic protein. Advantages: stability, simplicity of production. Disadvantages: relatively low efficiency compared to other types of vaccines.
   • Vector vaccines: They contain the genetic material of the pathogen, built into a safe viral vector, which brings it into human cells, where antigenic protein is synthesized, which causes an immune response. Advantages: a strong immune response, the possibility of single vaccination. Disadvantages: possible pre -social immunity to vector. Examples: Vaccines against Covid-19 (Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson).

2. Universal vaccines: protection against a wide range of strains.

   • Target: The development of vaccines that provide protection against a wide range of pathogen strains, including future mutations.
   • Strategies:
     • Targeting of conservative epitopes: Conservative epitopes are areas of antigen, which change little with virus mutations.
     • Development of vaccines that stimulate widely neutralizing antibodies: Widely neutralizing antibodies are antibodies that can neutralize a wide range of virus strains.
     • Using nanoparticles for the delivery of antigens: Nanoparticles can be used to deliver antigens to immune cells and enhance the immune response.
   • Advantages: Universal vaccines can reduce the need for annual vaccination (for example, against influenza) and provide protection against new pandemics.

3. Personalized vaccines: an individual approach to immunization.

   • Target: The development of vaccines that are adapted to the individual characteristics of the patient’s immune system.
   • Strategies:
     • Using the genetic information of the patient: The patient’s genetic information can be used to select the most effective vaccine and determine the optimal dosage.
     • Development of vaccines based on tumor antigens: Personalized cancer vaccines can be developed on the basis of tumor antigens, which are specific for the tumor of each patient.
   • Advantages: Personalized vaccines can increase vaccination efficiency and reduce the risk of side effects.

4. Vaccination calls in the 21st century: vaccination resistance, new pathogens, global inequality.

   • Vaccination resistance: Refusal of vaccination or vaccination delay due to fears about the safety or efficiency of vaccines. Reasons: disinformation, distrust of the healthcare system, religious beliefs, political factors. Strategies: increasing literacy in vaccination matters, strengthening confidence in the healthcare system, and fighting misinformation.
   • New pathogens: The appearance of new pathogens (for example, Covid-19) poses a serious threat to public health. Quick and effective strategies for the development and introduction of vaccines against new pathogens are needed.
   • Global inequality: Uneven access to vaccines in different countries of the world. It is necessary to provide fair and equal access to vaccines for all people, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
   • Antibiotic resistance: The growing stability of bacteria to antibiotics makes vaccines even more important for the prevention of infectious diseases.

Section 6: vaccination: 50% protection and more

1. Reflecting “50% of protection”: what does this mean in practice.

   • “50% of protection” is a simplified idea of ​​the effectiveness of the vaccine. It is important to understand that this is an average indicator that can vary depending on the type of vaccine, the characteristics of a vaccinated person, a pathogen strain and other factors.
   • Even if the vaccine provides “only” 50% protection against infection, it can provide much higher protection against severe complications, hospitalization and death.
   • 50% of protection at the population level can lead to a significant decrease in the incidence and mortality from vaccinated infections.
   • Example: If the vaccine provides 50% protection against infection with the virus, but 90% protection against the severe course of the disease in case of infection, then this is still a very valuable protection.

2. Vaccination: additional advantages in addition to protection against infection.

   • Reducing the severity of the disease: Even if a vaccinated person is infected, vaccination can soften the course of the disease and reduce the risk of complications.
   • Reducing the duration of the disease: Vaccinated people can quickly recover from infectious diseases.
   • Reducing the spread of infection: Vaccinated people can be less contagious than unevaccitted, and, therefore, are less inclined to spread the infection.
   • The stimulation of the immune system: Vaccination can strengthen the immune system and increase its ability to fight other infections.
   • Protection against distant consequences of infection: Some infections may have distant health consequences (for example, chronic fatigue syndrome after infection). Vaccination can reduce the risk of developing these consequences.

3. Vaccination and healthy lifestyle: synergistic effect.

   • Vaccination is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but it is not the only factor that determines health.
   • A healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, physical activity, rejection of smoking and alcohol abuse, can strengthen the immune system and increase vaccination efficiency.
   • Vaccination and a healthy lifestyle in combination provide optimal protection against diseases.
   • Example: flu vaccination is more effective in people who lead a healthy lifestyle.

4. Vaccination: Investment in health and well -being.

   • Vaccination is an investment in the health of the person himself, his family and the whole society.
   • Vaccination prevents disease and disability, prolongs life, improves the quality of life, reduces the cost of treatment and increases labor productivity.
   • Vaccination is one of the most effective and economically profitable ways to protect health.
   • Vaccination is the responsibility of each person to himself and to society. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;