Book chapter
Vaccine Science and Immunology
Vaccine Science and Immunization Guideline, pp 41-70
07 Nov 2017
Abstract
The first vaccines were made from intact or weakened infectious agents. An improved understanding of the immune system has fostered the development of additional types of vaccines, which provide immunity without risk of infection. These newer types of vaccines can be helpful when immunizing special populations, such as newborns or geriatric patients, who may have weakened immune systems. Modern vaccines may also contain additional materials such as adjuvants, which enhance immunogenicity. Antibiotics and preservatives may be used to prevent contamination during manufacture or after distribution.
In many instances, immunization may reduce the risk of infection not just for the vaccinated individual but for the community at large. The proportion of a population needed to be immune in order to provide herd immunity varies; the more contagious a disease, the higher the vaccination rate needed to develop or maintain herd immunity. Case studies illustrate both successes and failures of the beneficial effects of high vaccination rates.
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1 citations in Scopus
Details
- Title
- Vaccine Science and Immunology
- Creators
- Jennifer L. Hamilton - Department of Family, Community, and Preventive Health, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
- Publication Details
- Vaccine Science and Immunization Guideline, pp 41-70
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing; Cham
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- MD (Doctor of Medicine) Program
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105008851405
- Other Identifier
- 991020542432704721