BM1022 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Herd Immunity, Variolation, Passive Immunity
Document Summary
Understand what vaccines are, and why they are used and some of the benefits and complications of their use. Use of antigens from a specific microbe to generate a protective immune response. Antibodies bind to specific places - epitopes. ne. Administration of antigens to stimulate production of specific antibodies or cellu immunity. Provision of temporary immunity by administration of antibodies. Vaccination - administration of vaccine whether or not person becomes immune. Involves exposure to the material that is antigenic but not pathogenic. Encounter with pathogen leads to faster, stronger response. Reduce the replication of the organism and eliminate the disease. Inoculates child with cowpox then challenges with smallpox. Vaccination programs have been designed for most of the important viral and bacteria diseases. Mass vaccination campaigns in developed countries have reduced the prevalenc polio, measles, rubella. Developing countries are still suffering unacceptably high levels of childhood illness fro these diseases.
