Vaccines are the drugs made specifically to keep people safe from contracting serious diseases such measles polio, tuberculosis, and influenza. The success in the development of vaccines has led to the rise in life expectancy and reduced child mortality. However, the diseases still exist and are spread from one nation to another through migrations. It is therefore important for every country to keep vaccinating its citizens in order to limit the spread of diseases. This paper outlines the process of vaccine production, the vaccination process, development of new vaccines, and vaccines side effects and controversies.
The process of vaccine goes through five steps. The first step involves generation of the antigen that aims at triggering the immune response, where the pathogen’s proteins or DNA are grown and harvested, either using viruses grown on primary cells, bacteria grown in bioreactors or recombination of proteins derived from the pathogen (Fisher, 2014). Second is the release and isolation of the antigen; which aims at releasing as much virus or bacteria as possible. The third step entails purification of the antigen in order to produce high quality product. Next is the addition of other components such as the adjuvant which enhances the recipient’s immune response to a supplied antigen. The final step involves packaging of the vaccine into the recipient’s vessel after which it is sealed with sterile stoppers ready for use.
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The vaccination process requires being handled with a lot of integrity for it to work effectively. It is therefore recommended that a medical practitioner uses aseptic techniques and follows infection prevention measures while preparing the vaccination process (Evans et al., 1997). This is achievable through a number of ways. First, the vaccines should be prepared in a clean and designated medication area to avoid the contamination of the vaccines which may lower their efficiency. Proper hand hygiene should be maintained and the health care personnel should always ensure there are enough vaccines for administration. A separate needle should be used for each injection and the vaccine’s expiry date be checked always before the injection. The vaccines should be prepared only when needed and be administered freshly for each person. Vaccines ought to be administered through appropriate routes. The recommended routes include intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal, either by using conventional hypodermic needles or by using alternative or needle-free injection devices (Evans et al., 1997). The route is chosen based on its practicability, safety, and immunogenicity.
The wake of the 20 th century has seen health care personnel embark on a concerted research for new vaccines aimed at curbing the infection of the deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. For instance, there were nearly 300 vaccines clinical trials in progress by 2012 in which several of these trials have succeeded (Fisher, 2014). Thus, diseases such as measles, influenza, and pneumonia are almost being eliminated worldwide. The development of the new type vaccine called DNA vaccines is a great achievement in the field of health care, as the vaccine’s effectiveness lasts longer than the other types of vaccines (Fisher, 2014). In addition, there are over 20 adjuvants (vaccine additives that stimulate the immune system) in clinical trials aimed at eliminating deadly diseases like influenza, cancers, and HIV.
Some vaccines cause side effects when administered. The general side effects of vaccines include swelling, tenderness, high fever, lowered consciousness, soreness, tiredness, and allergic reactions (Fisher, 2014). However, most of these side effects go away within a few days. There are also several controversies associated with vaccines. For instance, Dr. Charles Creighton asserted that vaccines were the cause of syphilis (Evans et al., 1997). Also, the development of the tuberculin by Robert Koch caused serious reactions that resulted into several deaths. In addition, research by The Lancet in 1998 linked colitis and autism disorder with the administration of MMR (Evans et al., 1997). Again, the mercury in vaccines has been found to cause serious nervous disorders, while the influenza vaccines is suspected to be the leading cause of miscarriage among expectant mothers.
In conclusion, vaccines are important drugs which prepare the body’s immune system to resist an incoming infection. Some diseases have well-established vaccines while others are yet to get their effective vaccines. This article has outlined the process of vaccine production, the vaccination process, development of new vaccines, and vaccines side effects and controversies. It is recommended that all people in the world be immunized against the deadly diseases, while the health care personnel continues to do research aimed at establishing possible vaccines against deadly infections such as cancers, HIV, and influenza.
References
Evans, G., Bostrom, A., Johnston, RB., Fisher, BL., & Stoto MA. (1997). Vaccine Safety Forum, Institute of Medicine. National Academy Press . (p. 21-22).
Fisher, BL. (2014). A Guide to Reforming Vaccine Policy and Law . National Vaccine Information Center.
