The Working Strategy of Vaccines: Research Paper Example

Introduction

Biology and technology are aspects that have recently depended on one another to help the implementation of each concept in the relevant areas. Scientists and researchers have developed biotechnology techniques that are mostly used in hospitals. For instance, in a bid to manage chronic diseases such as cancer, researchers have developed machines that can kill cancer cells through biological processes. Additionally, biology has been used in the development of vaccines and has recently incorporated the use of technology to make stronger and more effective vaccines. There are various impacts of the integration of technology and biology in the production of effective vaccines.

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The Working of a Vaccine

Vaccines are drug substances that are taken into a body to boost the immunity of an individual against a particular disease. These substances work through a counter-attack strategy to help the body fight against the pathogens that cause diseases (Federman, 2014). Therefore, the elements are put into the body before the disease attack occurs. Ideally, vaccines are placed in the body in the form of bacteria or viruses through injection or orally, and they reside within the cells of the body. In the body, the vaccines help the body's immunity system to familiarize itself with viruses or bacteria (Federman. 2014). Consequently, they prepare the body for an attack of familiar pathogens in the future. Ideally, vaccines work by allowing the body to get used to them before an actual attack occurs.

Comparison between Traditional and the Biotechniques of Vaccine Development

Vaccines have been developed in various ways, and the processes have changed over time due to technological innovations. The traditional methods of manufacturing vaccines significantly differ from modern biotechniques. For instance, in the early days, vaccines were developed by growing the pathogens in culture mediums. On the other hand, technology has allowed the manufacture of vaccines by deriving antigens from an organism that has been affected by pathogens. The yield of the vaccines is another difference. The traditional method, for instance, produced vaccines that caused injuries and deaths rather than preventing the occurrence of the diseases (Pori, 2018). On the other hand, vaccines produced through biotechnology have registered less number of deaths of vaccinated beings. Primarily, the use of technology in the development of vaccines has helped to ease the process of production and has caused and has played a significant role in reducing injuries and deaths.

Vaccines Given to the Children in the USA

Diverse nations have embraced different vaccines around the globe. There are schedules that healthcare centers use to help in the immunization of the diseases. In the USA, for instance, babies and children are vaccinated against measles, smallpox, tetanus, polio, and diphtheria (Pori, 2018). These vaccinations help to control the occurrence of diseases and reduce the mortality rate of young children.

Impact of Vaccines in the US over the Last 100 Years

The introduction of vaccines has greatly improved the health status of the American population. In the last hundred years, mortality and morbidity by infectious diseases have reduced. The decrease is attributed to practicing of an effective immunization routine. Previously, there was a substantial number of children that contracted measles and tetanus, and in worse cases, it resulted in deaths. The American health department has ensured the immunization of both the residents and immigrants entering the country (Gross, 2009). As a result, common diseases have been reduced, and even those prevalent in other countries do not enter America. It is only in recent years that some cases of disease outbreaks started emerging. The outbreaks come in the wake of information spread through media platforms. The government has, however, tried to use the same platforms to counter the claims by giving approved information.

Although the vaccination programs have come with a lot of positive results, many Americans still fear the practice. Many parents have the phobia spread by the media about other diseases like autism caused by the vaccines. As the vaccination routine practice become comprehensive, the outbreaks of the disease are reduced. Due to the reduction of the epidemic, many Americans have never experienced the results of those diseases, such as measles. They have, therefore, believed the millions of media propaganda articles about autism. Most of these concerns cannot be scientifically proven since they rely on an unproven hypothesis. In one of the articles published in 1998, Wakefield claimed that the vaccines caused intestinal diseases and autism, but the general medical council later disapproved of him (Gross, 2009). It was discovered that Wakefield had published the article out of undisclosed conflicts of interest. Most Americans have believed the unapproved information since there are very many articles published over time carrying these claims. Such wrong claims have not been treated quickly, but the propagandists have been prosecuted by a bleaching code of ethics.

Conclusion

Statistics from countries without well-articulated immunization programs prove how outbreaks of these diseases can be fatal. Such good examples are the recent outbreak of Ebola in Congo Africa. Fatalities are very high in a single epidemic, and the efforts to tackle the disease are more expensive than control. Compared to most other countries outside America, mortality from diseases like measles is low due to comprehensive health programs. Such data is enough proof to convince American parents to continue supporting the health department by appreciating vaccination.

References

Federman, R.(2014).Understanding Vaccines: A public Imperative. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. Vol. 87, pp. 417-422.

Gross, L. (2009). A broken trust: lessons from the vaccine-autism wars. PLoS Biology, Vol. 7 no 5.

Pori, P. (2018). "Development of Vaccines." Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering. Metropolia: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.