The Science of Vaccines
What is a Vaccine?
A vaccine is a product that produces an immunity from a disease and can be administered orally (as a liquid), nasally (as an aerosol), or subcutaneously (via injection) (Czochor and Turchick 2014).
How are Vaccines Made?
All vaccines have the same goal, to weaken a virus or bacteria in a way that allows the recipient to develop an immune response, without contracting the disease. Depending on the disease, a weakened or killed version of the virus or bacteria is introduced into the body. This allows the body's immune system to learn how to fight the disease, making it easier to combat should the virus or bacteria ever be introduced (College of Physicians of Philadelphia 2018).
Vaccine Approval Process
The process for introducing a new vaccine into the routine vaccinations list is both lengthy and arduous to ensure public safety. The first phase of the process ensures that the vaccine is safe, effective and free of secondary side effects. The second phase incorporates live human testing, while the third and final phase compares the vaccine to a placebo. The entire process can take up to 10 years to complete (Department of Health 2014).
Vaccine Ingredients
History of Vaccines
1000 CE - The practice of immunization began with Buddhist monks in China drinking snake venom to create immunity to snake bites.
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1796 - The first official vaccine was made by Edward Jenner, who used cowpox pustules to make a vaccine for smallpox.
1813 - US Vaccine Agency was established.
1883 - Jaime Ferran created the first Cholera vaccine.
1936 - Max Theiler developed the first Yellow Fever vaccine.
1955 - Jonas Salk's polio vaccine suspended after reports of death related to the vaccine.
1980 - Smallpox was eradicated with the help of vaccines.
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1986 - Due to great resistance against the use of vaccines in the 1980's, the US implemented the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Today - Vaccinations go beyond preventing disease in an individual, and aid in preventing disease within an entire community. Further international efforts have been made to decrease global child mortality through advocation for universal access to vaccines.
Reference for this timeline: (University of Auckland 2017) and (Hussein 2015).
Vaccines can be made with any combination of these ingredients:
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Antigens (used to help the body create an effective immune response)
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Preservatives
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Adjuvants (aluminum salts that help create a better immune response)
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Gelatin (protects the vaccine from freezing and overheating)
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Gelatin is often the main cause for concern for many different religions​ because it is made of animal tissue (Grabenstein 2013).
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Antibiotics
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Egg Proteins (can cause allergic reactions for some)
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Fetal Tissue (cells of fetuses aborted for health reasons, not for the purpose of creating vaccines)
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New fetal tissue has not been introduced since 1960, however the descendants of the original fetal cells are still in the vaccines today (College of Physicians of Philadelphia 2018).
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Reference for ingredients: (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 2017).