Vaccines: A Socio-biological Issue

Flashcards about vaccines, public health, and the anti-vaccination movement.

What is the purpose of vaccines?

To prevent initial infection, prevent serious illness, and reduce mortality.

According to new data, what is the impact of vaccines?

Vaccines have saved 154 million lives in the past 50 years.

What are the three main purposes of vaccines?

To prevent initial infections, prevent severe illness, and prevent deaths.

What do data comparisons on COVID show?

Growing divide in hospitalization rates among unvaccinated and fully vaccinated adults.

What are some reported side effects from vaccines?

Myocarditis and GBS. Also Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD).

What impact have COVID-19 vaccines had?

The COVID vaccines saved an estimated 20 million lives in one year.

What is the status of measles in the US?

The US had measles eliminated in the year 2000, but in 2019, there were nearly 1,300 cases.

What is the basic idea behind all vaccines?

To encourage the human immune system to fight infectious agents using cells and chemicals called antibodies.

By the numbers, what was the estimated number of infants not reached with routine immunization in 2017?

19.9 million infants worldwide were not reached with routine immunization services in 2017.

How many deaths are prevented every year due to vaccines?

An estimated 2-3 million deaths are prevented every year.

How does the World Health Organization describe immunization?

Immunization is our shield against serious diseases.

What is the anti-vaccination movement?

The anti-vaccination movement resists vaccines due to reasons such as social fear of autism, scary ingredients, the rise of anti-intellectualism, and politics.

What have studies shown about the relationship between autism and vaccines?

There have been 160 studies that have found no relationship between autism and vaccines.

How do politics influence views on vaccines on the conservative side?

Role of individual choice, limited government, and anti-science attitudes.

What drives vaccine resistance?

Mistrust of pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment.

What are some common vaccine ingredients?

Aluminum gels or salts, antibiotics, formaldehyde, and thimerosal.

Why are aluminum gels or salts of aluminum added to vaccines?

To help the vaccine stimulate a better response.

Why are antibiotics added to some vaccines?

To prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine.

What is the initial step in the journey of a child's vaccine?

Extensive lab testing is done over several years before a new vaccine is given to people.

What happens after a vaccine is added to the U.S. Recommended Immunization Schedule?

Continue to monitor the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.