Immunization and Immunity

Immunization Overview

  • Importance of summarizing immunizations for adults.

  • Application of the seven general rules of immunizations.

  • Discussion of immunoglobulin and interferon.

Understanding Illness

  • What happens when we get sick?
      - Exposure to infectious agents that enter the body.

First Line of Defense

  • The skin is the primary barrier against pathogens.

  • Mucus membranes as additional barriers with components like:
      - Heat
      - Nose hairs

  • Infection response includes fever and inflammation.

Types of Immunity

Adaptive Defenses

  • Two types of adaptive defenses:
      1. Antibody-mediated (humoral immunity)
      2. Cell-mediated immunity

Antibody-Mediated Immunity

  • Antibodies are proteins that help to fight pathogens.

  • Memory B cells facilitate recognition of pathogens from past infections.

  • Antibodies can be acquired through:
      - Immunizations
      - Exposure to pathogens
      - Breast milk and placenta from mothers

Types of Immunity: Active vs. Passive

  • Active Immunity: Developed by the body itself, through;
      - Natural infection
      - Vaccination
      - Both lead to the production of antibodies.

  • Passive Immunity: Acquired from another source without the immune system producing antibodies, examples include:
      - Maternal antibodies passed via breast milk and placental transfer.
      - Lasts approximately six months, leading to the necessity of vaccinations at intervals (3 months, 6 months, etc.)

Immunoglobulin

  • Definition and explanation of immunoglobulin as passive immunity.

  • Example of COVID-19 antibody donation and its use in treatments for:
      - Botulism
      - Tetanus
      - Rabies

The Seven Rules of Immunizations

  1. Similarity of Vaccine to Natural Disease: The more resemblance a vaccine has to the natural disease, the better the immune response.
       - Example: Flu vaccines use last year’s strain to create optimal response.

  2. Types of Vaccines:
       - Live (Attenuated): Refer to vaccines containing weakened pathogens.
       - Inactivated: Refer to vaccines containing killed pathogens.

  3. Eligibility for Inactivated Vaccines:
       - Individuals are screened for:
         - Health status (sick or not)
         - Allergies to components
         - Pregnancy status (certain vaccines can only be administered after the first trimester).

  4. Eligibility for Live Vaccines:
       - Similar restrictions apply to those who are sick, allergic, pregnant, or immunocompromised.

  5. Simultaneous Vaccine Administration: There are no contraindications to simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines, except:
       - Live vaccines must be separated by at least 28 days to avoid overlap in antibody production.

  6. Duration of Immunity:
       - Live vaccines generally produce longer-lasting immunity with a single dose compared to inactivated vaccines which require multiple doses and boosters.

  7. Adverse Reactions:
       - Reactions from live vaccines resemble mild forms of the natural disease, while inactivated vaccines tend to cause local reactions that may or may not include fever.

Vaccine Reactions and Management

  • General post-vaccine care includes:
      - Tylenol or Ibuprofen for fever and discomfort post-vaccination leading up to mild undesirable effects.

  • Local reactions may include redness, swelling, and heat at the injection site which can alleviate with ice.

Contraindications vs. Precautions

  • Distinction between true contraindications:
      - Allergies to vaccine components.
      - Severe adverse effects such as encephalopathy.

  • Precautions are conditions to consider but do not absolutely prevent vaccination (e.g., immunocompromised individuals).

Vaccines for Adults

Chart Overview

  • Vaccination recommendations vary by age and specific risk factors.

  • Important vaccines include:
      - Flu Vaccine: Recommended yearly; made from inactivated virus.
      - Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis):
         - Tetanus (causes locked jaw)
         - Pertussis (whooping cough);
         - Need updates every 5 to 10 years depending on exposure risks.
      - MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Given in childhood, boosters may be needed based on risk.
      - Varicella (Chickenpox): Live vaccine, given in childhood, with a booster for immunity issues.
      - Zoster (Shingles): Recommended starting at age 50 to prevent occurrences of chickenpox reactivation.
      - HPV: Vaccination recommended for everyone up to 26 years old, to prevent certain cancers.
      - Pneumococcal Vaccine: Administered to those aged 50 and older and individuals with certain risk factors.

Interferons and Interleukins

  • Definition: These are cytokines that boost the immune system response via T cells.

  • Uses: Effective in treating various conditions including cancers and viral infections.

  • Potential Side Effects:
      - Harm to kidneys and liver, inability to use in pregnant individuals, risk of inducing suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

  • Review of the discussed immunizations and their significance in public health and personal wellbeing.

  • Announcement of a break before delving into the next segment of the course.