The Discovery of Vaccines - Term Paper Example

?Pros of vaccinations Introduction Long before the discovery of vaccines, people around the globe had to terribly experience deadly diseases before they get immunity to them. The discomforts these diseases usually caused the people paved the way for the discovery of vaccines as the ultimate way to help the body fight various forms of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that plagued the humanity. This is the general idea about what vaccines can do to mankind. Vaccines are actually dead disease bacteria, dead viruses, live attenuated virus and toxoids that are injected in the body of a person or animal (Gardner, 1982). These are also known as antigens. Antigens trigger the body to produce antibodies (Kirch, 2008). Thus, vaccination or also known as immunization is a way to strengthen the body’s defense or immune system against viruses and bacteria through the introduction of antigens into the person’s body (Kirch, 2008). In principle, vaccination works as a way to protect the body from being susceptible to deadly diseases caused by pathogens (e.x. bacteria and virus). Doctor Edward Jenner found that the body can produce antibodies once pathogens enter into it. He eventually discovered that killed bacteria or less infectious strain of a specific deadly virus can increase the immunity of the person from certain diseases that these pathogens may cause (Gardner, 1982). The story behind the discovery of vaccines dates back to its humble beginning in 1790s in a farm where cows were experiencing sores that later are called cowpox. When this disease infected the human being, it was known as smallpox. It was observed that people exposed to cowpox in the farm were most likely not to be infected with cowpox. This opened up the idea that the human body has the capacity to resist certain diseases once it is exposed to them even on active and deadly viruses (Gardner, 1982). To vaccinate or not Today, it is noted that hepatitis B is most likely to infect new born children and its impact is noted harmful that it may even lead to one major causes of infant mortality. However, due to vaccination of new born children within two days of birth, it is noted that the incidence of acute hepatitis B remarkably turned into downward spiral by around 98% since 1990, which is said to be due to vaccination (Jonas, 2010). In the United States, the incidence of acute hepatitis B is reported to decline and it is hugely attributed to vaccination (Hay et al., 2010). For some other reasons, parents may choose not to vaccinate their children. However, they have to ensure that their children’s body resistance to prevailing disease outbreak should be significantly higher or else their bodies can become easy targets of deadly strains of pathogens. As stated earlier, the human body has the ability to fight these pathogens by producing antibodies. However, this may not be the usual case especially with highly active bacteria or virus and most likely in times when a child’s body’s self defense does not have much resistance against these pathogens. In cases like this, parents may be overwhelmed by the adverse impacts of not having their children vaccinated prior to contracting a terrible disease that could have been prevented through vaccination. Some vaccines are expensive while others are mostly affordable. In some countries they are given free to the community as they are subsidized by the government. Common sense tells it that with vaccines parents are given a higher chance not to spend much in diseases that are costly. It is definitely noted that a higher cost is incurred in putting a child in hospital confinement due to treatment of certain diseases than having a shot or series of boosters of some vaccines. The flu virus strain is said to mutate or evolve over time. As a result, the number of deaths from flu is increasing even if flu shots continue (Mindell and Hopkins, 2003). Therefore, some people are taking their chances in the hope that flu shots may effectively work for them. This added to the level of their strong confidence in vaccines. This shows that having a peace of mind is something that is worth beyond the prize of vaccines. For instance, parents are normally confident that their children have developed strong immunity to some diseases once they are already vaccinated. Vaccination to prevent cancer Some viruses or other microorganisms are found to cause cancer. For example, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes papillomas or known as warts in humans, which is said to play a significant role in the formation of tumors of the anogenital tract (Stockfleth, 2009; Dizon et al., 2010; Dizon & Krychman, 2010). The formulation of cervical cancer vaccine was to prevent warts in humans to develop further into carcinogenic cells. The HPV vaccine is said to be 100 percent effective to prevent several infections that may be caused by the virus (Longo, 2010). Therefore, vaccination with attenuated virus strain of HPV is a promising breakthrough in the field of health sciences and medicine. It is in this particular case that vaccine is remarkably a way to increase the span of life of a person. Considering that cancer is one of the top leading causes of death in the world, providing vaccines as preventive way of people’s exposure to it is so far the best invention of the humanity in the modern breakthrough in medicine. Vaccination continues to improve The advancement of science and technology in modern times proves that vaccination can be further enhanced into something great and better. For instance, nowadays biotechnology can actually help choose an antibody or fragment having level of specificity (Kaufmann, 2004). There are also prevailing germs and other related microorganisms that continue to be antibiotic resistant. However, today there were new formulated vaccines that can help the person stand against toxins and antibiotic-resistant germs (Kaufmann, 2004). In fact, some strains of tubercle bacilli, the germs behind the very popular tuberculosis are antibiotic resistant. The said bacteria have become resistant to antibiotic due to the inability of some patients to be consistent with their treatment. As a result, there are some reported cases about finding new strains of tubercle bacilli that are becoming more resistant to antibiotics. This issue sounds very triggering; however, just like with the case of active virus strain, highly resistant bacteria to antibiotic can be cultured and later be transformed into less harmful one. The same principle can be applied how cowpox virus vaccine was discovered in 1790s. The above situations only prove the fact that vaccination remarkably continues to search its path through improvement. Starting in 1790s, it remarkably proves that for two centuries vaccination has become reliable and efficient to maintaining the quality of life of mankind. In fact, it continues to improve and grow. In the advent of advancement in science and technology, vaccination also alleviates its standard and for two centuries various researches and development have been created in order to enhance and improve it for the better. It is in line with this that starting from its discovery and until now, vaccination remains one of highly suggested and reliable options to help combat various types of diseases that continue to plague mankind. Vaccination remains a reliable method to fight harmful diseases For many decades, vaccination continues to be recommended by majority of pediatricians in the world and in various books about child health care written by health experts and practitioners (Neustaedter, 2002). In fact, they are not oblivious about the risks and some sort of disadvantages of vaccination, but they still recommend vaccination as an efficient way to fight harmful diseases among children and in whole humanity in general. This remarkably proves that vaccination’s major advantages continue to be a cut above its reported disadvantages, perils or risks. Even if there were minor risks reported, still these do not change the fact that vaccination has long been a part of the human civilization and that it has been widely studied by various concerned health experts. As a result, millions of pediatrician and health experts continue to put their trust on vaccination as a major way to combat harmful diseases that even today continue to threaten the human existence. Conclusion As discussed, there are enough reasons why a person should rely on vaccination. There are specific instances that point out to the fact prevention is better than cure and this remarkably is proven by vaccination. Being able to resist adverse impacts of harmful and devastating diseases is a major contribution of vaccines into the humanity. Before people would die from some diseases that have no treatment at all, but today no one would ever worry about them all because of the presence of vaccine as a remarkable antidote for them. Although it does not promise total advantages at all since experts and practitioners know at some point significant risks about vaccination, but the reason why they continue relying on vaccines and their full potential is an indication that the process of immunization through a man-made effort is vital to survival. References Dizon, D. S., & Krychman, M. L. (2010). Questions & Answers about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Dizon, D., Stuckey, A. R., Stuckey, A., & Krychman, M. (2010). Dx/Rx: Human Papilloma Virus. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Gardner, Joy. (1982). Healing the family: Pregnancy, birth and children’s ailments, Volume 1. New York: Bantam Books. Hay, W. W., Levin, M. J., Deterding, R. R., & Sondheimer, J. M. (2010). Current diagnosis and treatment pediatrics (20th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill Prof Med/Tech. Jonas, M. M. (2010). Viral Hepatitis in Children: Unique Features and Opportunities. New York: Springer. Kaufmann, S. H. (2004). Novel vaccination strategies. Berlin: Wiley-VCH. Kirch, W. (2008). Encyclopedia of Public Health. New York: Springer. Longo, D. L. (2010). Harrison’s Hematology and Oncology. New York: McGraw-Hill Prof Med/Tech. Mindell, E., & Hopkins, V. (2003). Prescription alternatives: hundreds of safe, natural, prescription-free remedies to restore and maintain your health. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. Neustaedter, R. (2002). The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults (3rd ed). California: North Atlantic Books. Stockfleth, E. (2009). Managing Skin Cancer. New York: Springer. Read More