Vaccination

Passive immunity:

Produced by the introduction of antibodies into indivdulas from an outside source

No direct contact with the pathogen or its antigen is necessary to induce immunity, it is acquired immediately
As the antibodies are not being produced by the individuals themselves, the antibodies are not replaced when they
are broken down, no memory cells are formed ad so there is no lasting immunity

Active immunity:

Produced by stimulating the production of antibodies by the individuals' on immune system

Direct contact with the pathogen or its antigen is necessary
Immunity takes time to develop
It is generally long-lasting and has two types -

Natural active immunity -

Results from an individual becoming infected with a disease under normal circumstances
The body produces its own antibodies and may continue to do so for many years

Artificial active immunity -

Forms the basis of vaccination

It invloves inducing an immune response in an individual, without them suffering from the symptoms of the disease

Natural Artificial

Active Contact with pathogen Antegenic material

Passive Breast milk, placenta Antibodies

Features of a successful vaccination programme:

A suitable vaccine must be economically available in sufficient quantities to immunise most of the vulnerable
population
There must be few side effects if any from vaccination. unpleaseat side effects may discourage inividuals in the
population from being vaccinated
Means of producing, sorting and transporting the vaccine must be available
There must be the means of administering the vaccine properly at the appropriate time
It must be possible to vaccinate the vast majority of the vulnerable population to produce her immunity

Herd immunity:

Arises when a sufficiently large proportion of the population has been vaccinated to make it difficult for a pathogen
to spead within that population
Where the vast majority of the population is immune, it is highly improbable that a susceptable individual will come
into contact with an infected person
Those individuals who are not immune to the disease are nethertheless protected
It is important because it is never possible to vaccinate everyone in a large population
 The percentage of population that must be vaccinated in order to achieve heard immunity is different for each
disease
Best carried out one at oen time so the transmission of the pathogen is interrupted

Why vaccination may not eliminate a disease:

Vaccinations fail to induce immunity in certain individuals

Individuals may develop the disease immediately after the vaccination but before their immunity levels are high
enough to prevent it
The pathogen may mutate frequently, so that its antigens change suddenly rather than gradually
There may be so many varieties of a particular pathogen that it is almost impossible to develop a vaccine that is
effective agasinst them all
Certain pathogens 'hide' from the body's immune system
Individuals may have objections to vaccination for religious, ethical or medical reasons

The ethics of using vaccines

Production of existing vaccines and the development of new ones often involves the use of animals
Vaccines have side-effects that may sometimes cause long-term harm
To be fully effecive the majority should all be vaccinated, but is it right in the interests in everyones health