Conclusion

In conclusion, vaccines in my opinion nad research are important to the development of our country. Communities must press to educate the public about the importance and keep children on schedule iwth reminders from pediatricians and health clinics. As mentioned in an earlier post, when China stopped vaccinating they saw an increase in disease. Vaccines do not guaranty the complete protection from disease, but it seriously cuts down on the effects of society.

Vaccines in Developing Countries

So you may ask yourself

"How have we in the U.S. and other countries nearly wiped out some of the worst dieases, and those in third world countries are dying by the millions?"

Did you know that nearly 7 million children under the age of 5 die every year from infectious disease?

It goes without saying, that these developing countries don't have the finances available for the research, production, and transportation of these important vaccines. Because they are perishable, vaccines require cold chains. Cold chains are a network of refrigeration systems which keep the vaccines refrigerated. Most of these countries don't have the facilities necessary. The world Health Orginazation began creating these cold chains in the 1970's.

Additionally, these countries just don't have the funds or political movement to fund the research, fact gathering and distribution.

They are a few organizations that have stepped in such as The Childrens Vaccine Initiative Task force to try and educate and make these nations self sufficient.

The Great Debate

Vaccines are wonderful and prevent disease. However there are a few discussions as to whether they are safe and necessary.

Debate #1

Why should we immunize against disease is no one gets these diseases anymore?

Reasons

In fact, if we stopped vaccinating our children we would eventually see these disease such as Polio or Diptheria make a comeback. In 1974, Japan conducted as succesful vaccination program and nearly eliminated pertussis. In this time, there were only 393 cases of pertussis, and no deaths. Feeling safe and like they had overcome pertussis, the public began to feel as if the vaccine were unsafe and unnecessary. in 1979, the Japanese had 13,000 cases of pertussis, and 41 deaths! The government stepped in began vaccinating the children and once again the cases dropped.

Debate #2

The mercury in some vaccines cause Autism.

Reasons

There is a mercury agent in some vaccines that parents believe causes Autism. This agent is mercury preservative contained in the influenze vaccine.

Ethylmercury Vs. Methylmercury

All mercury is not the same. The mercury found in the earth is called methylmercury and can be toxic to humans at high levels. The mercury found in the influenze vaccine is called ethylmercury and is broken down by the body and excreted faster than methylmercury. Due to the breakdown of ethylmercury, it is said that here is less likely of a chance that there would build up in your body w

A few interesting facts from Immunize.org:

• 
  
  Mercury is found in breastmilk as well as formula. Babies who are strictly breastfed will be taking in more than 15 times the quanitity of mercury found in a single influenze vaccine.


• 
  
  In Denmark, Thimerosal , which is actually the preservative that contains ethylmercury, was abandoned and they actually saw an increase in aut

Below you will find a two part video on The Great Debate.

How do vaccines work in your body?

Many of you may be wondering
"How exactly do vaccines work?"

In todays blog entry, we will discover how the body and the vaccines work together to provide immunity!

Vaccines help your immune system to fight off otherwise deadly viruses. When someone is injected with the Polio vaccine for example, they are literally injected with a small amount of the Polio virus. This small amount is safe for the body to fight and develop immunity against, while not making you sick. Once you body learns how to fight the small version of the disease, it will find it much easier if introduced in the future. Sometimes however the immune system will need to refresh its memory, which is why we must have booster shots.

That being said, it is important to note that there are
Four Main Types of Vaccines

1.) Live Vaccines such as Polio , which are given diluted.

2.) Killed Vaccines such as Pertussis Vaccine, which is killed, but still triggers the bodys immune system.

3.) Toxoid Vaccines such as Tetanus, which are formed from toxins or poisons that have been created by the germs, and are harmless.

4.) Component Vaccines such as Hepatitis A & B vaccines, which contain just as the name suggest parts of the virus.

Please see the video below, it will explain the process in which Vaccines are constructed.

A general background on Vaccines

Vaccine is literally a molecule that creates an immune response. Usually a small of amount of the virus we are trying to kill is included in the vaccine, this will strengthen the immune system which will in turn fight the virus. The first known vaccine was derived from cows infected with cow pox. The smallpox was taken from the cows, and administered to humans who were to be protected from the deadlier small pox. Measles and Polio are at records lows and although not common are still found in rare cases around the United States. Worldwide, measles has killed more than half a million people , mostly children in 2003. In this blog, we will discover exactly how the vaccines break down disease.

(The illustration to the right is an illustration of cowpox lesion on hand circa 1790. )

Welcome

"Welcome to my Biol 1010 blog. My name is Nannette , and I am in Ms. Graugnard's Biol 1010 NO1 class. My topic for this project is Vaccines. I hope hope that you find this blog to be interesting and informative. Thanks for visiting."