The Essential Role of Vaccination in Modern Society

What is a vaccine?  

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity towards an infectious or malignant disease. Immunity is when the immune system is activated, developing antibodies as a defense system once the body has been exposed to a germ. The purpose of vaccines is to introduce the body to antigens, which mimic the appearance and behaviors of pathogens or germs. These pathogens may include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microbes, which can enter the body and cause infection or illness. These antigens can be a germ that was killed or altered to minimize the harm to a negligible level which cannot cause disease, or can be the components, parts, or toxin products of a virus or bacteria. As one’s body encounters the introduced antigen, their immune system will respond, recognizing it as an invader. Memory cells and specific defenses, called antibodies, are produced in response, acting against that pathogen. As a result, the immune system is ready to fight off any active germs that the body may encounter, able to aid in the patient's ability to fend off illness (2)—meaning negligible harm towards individuals. Mild symptoms may occur because the immune system is active, and include mucus, fever, and fatigue. However, these symptoms are considered as normal immune responses that are harmless.  

The History of Vaccines 

In the 15th century, the world suffered a widespread smallpox epidemic. Limited in medical options, such as treatments or preventions, the people created the concept of variolation; intentionally exposing healthy people to smallpox in order to build immunity 3. Such a concept originated in China and Turkey, where the material from smallpox sores was utilized to introduce the disease and provide immunity to the population. In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner, who was inspired by the idea of variolation, created the first smallpox vaccine by collecting matter from a cowpox sore.  

Vaccination Development 

There are several types of vaccines, including live attenuated, subunit/recombinant, inactivated, and mRNA vaccines. Live attenuated vaccines are created from weakened forms of a virus, including MMR, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Subunit or Recombinant vaccines utilize parts of the virus, such as proteins or sugars, to create immunization. HPV Whooping Cough are notable examples of viruses with successful subunit vaccines. Inactivated vaccines involve dead versions of the virus such as Polio, and Hepatitis A. Lastly, the mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to instruct cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response, as seen with COVID-19 vaccines.  

The process of developing vaccines starts with research, identifying antigens that can provoke an immune response. Preclinical testing begins after, where lab studies are conducted, testing on a small group. Next, the vaccination is tested in three phases of clinical trials: phase 1 tests safety and dosage regulations on a small group, phase 2 expands testing to report efficacy and side effects on a larger group, and phase 3 hosts clinical trials for large-scale testing, aiming to confirm the vaccine’s effectiveness and monitor adverse reactions. The approval for the vaccine to be implemented requires submission of data to a regulatory body, including the FDA.  

How Effective are Vaccines?

Vaccines are an imperative tool that contribute to the health maintenance of human beings, and have reduced the mortality rate from infectious diseases significantly. In the 1800s, around 50% of children in the US would die before adulthood, and now it is less than 1% due to vaccines and modern medicine that protect us from disease. Between 2010 and 2017, the mortality rate of children under 5 years old had declined by 25%. Measles vaccinations alone prevented 25.5 million deaths since 2000. Enormous progress has been made towards the eradication of polio, a disease that causes lifelong paralysis or death; its infection rate dropping by over 99% since 1988 3. Vaccines benefit everyone including infants, children, elders, the working population, and the vulnerable by providing fewer infections, lower risks of disease, and preventing chronic disease such infection-related cancers caused by viruses such as hepatitis and HPV. With the innovation of vaccines, humans gained a high chance of living longer and healthier lives.  

Economically Connection 

Immunization can be identified as the foundation of a healthy, productive population. Every dollar invested in immunization programs in 94 low- and middle-income countries over the next decade is projected to return more than 52.2 ROI 4. Such ROI was due to the reduction of treatment costs, transportation and hospitality, and long-term disability, while increasing tax revenue and boosting workforce productivity. As the infection and mortality rates decrease, workers will have a higher potential in carrying out satisfactory efforts with more efficient results. Being worry-free from the health status of workers themselves and their loved ones will contribute to greater productivity and motivation. Additionally, preventing care of infections through vaccination contributes to the reduction of families’ healthcare costs and provides financial security against payments that could have a disastrous impact on household finances.  

Furthermore, vaccines will provide protection to countries from the overwhelming economic impact of disease outbreaks. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a period of disruptive and costly lifestyles that are so overwhelming and profoundly detrimental to public health programs, clinical services, and health systems, with children out of school and adults unemployed. As a result, not only was the nation’s medical, workforce, and education levels in static mode, the overall international economic relationship was also adversely affected in terms of transportation, tourism, trade, and general development.  

Vaccine Promotion  

Vaccination can be considered as an imperative preventable care for humans to avoid various illnesses and diseases. However, in 2023 globally, there were 14.5 million children, called the zero-dose children, with lack of accessibility to vaccines 5. Therefore, it is extremely essential for individuals to recognize the importance of vaccines in health maintenance and the necessity to spread such awareness around the world. There are multiple opportunities that you may be involved as a vaccine promoter and convey the message in various ways including through education, volunteer, fundraiser, etc. For instance, individuals can participate in flu vaccination campaigns to help plan and promote flu vaccination campaigns in schools or educate peers and community members by sharing accurate information about vaccination through everyday conversation. Overall, it is necessary for every individual to unify and contribute to improve the health of all.  

Additionally, it is essential to consider the cultural and communication implications toward vaccination. In particular, there was an evident lack of vaccine discussion in African-American cultures that results in the general lack of knowledge and acceptance of vaccines 1. The indications to these minority groups that vaccination is a form of protection to extended families can be a crucial point to communicate with them. It has been suggested that many minority groups would receive a vaccine shot if vaccination can benefit not merely themselve, but also their family members. Subsequently, language barriers can hinder the seriousness and effectiveness of vaccination to people, especially the older population. For instance, individuals who are 65 years or older and prefer other languages often rely on translation or family translators. These translations can be unprofessional and inaccurate that the importance of vaccination is not delivered to the public. Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare facilities, organizations, volunteers, and any individuals to convey a clear message regarding the purpose of vaccines and its benefit to their family, friends, and the public. 

Reference 

1 Fitzgerald, J. (n.d.). Minority Groups and Vaccinations. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/non-dhs/dms/minority-groups-and-vaccinations.pdf 

2 Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Vaccines. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/vaccines  

3 World Health Organization. (n.d.). A brief history of vaccines. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination  

4 World Health Organization. (2021, April 22). Counting the impact of vaccines. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/counting-the-impact-of-vaccines  

5 World Health Organization. (2024, July 15). Immunization coverage. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage  

Acknowledgement 

Karen Chen, Nurse Practitioner at Columbia University Irving Medical Center  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-chen-45189178