FA16 Immunization Module’s Updates

Warning Signs: Contraindication for Vaccinations and Public Safety

Vaccines are essential components to public health for a variety of reasons. In many cases, such as polio, the production of vaccines has dramatically changed the number of deaths per year due to illness associated with certain pathogens. Vaccines help the body fight off pathogens by increasing the production of memory B and T cells in the body which are part of the adaptive response. These cells are more easily activated and differentiate faster upon activation. This allows for a quicker and more robust immune response which can prevent a majority of the deleterious effects of infection. 

In general, vaccines are well received within the scientific and medical community, however, there are certain instances in which giving a vaccine may be contraindicated. The main contraindications that a physician needs to be aware of are any sort of allergic reaction to a previous dose are vaccine component that caused anaphylaxis. In addtion, patients with a compromised immune system or immunodeficiency disorder are aften contraindicated for disease; especially for live attenuated vaccines. Pregnancy is another risk factor for vaccination in certain cases such as zoster, varicella, live attenuated influenza, and measles, mumps and rubella. A complete list of contraindications can be found at the following links for pediatric and geriatric patients respectively. 

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/contraindications-vacc.html

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult-contraindications.html

Finally, vaccine safety is imperative because public confidence in vaccine safety is already quite controversial. Herd immunity refers to the concept that if most of the population gets immunized the spread of contagious disease is greatly contained. Therefore, people have to trust vaccines! Reducing the number of adverse effects of a vaccine by paying close attention to contraindications is one method of preserving public confidence. Another very important component is public health education. Many people are bombarded with misinformation on the web concerning negative effects of vaccinations that are simply not supported by empirical evidence. This problem could be more easily avoided if the general public had more access to basic immunology education. Here you will find a short, informative video explaining the basics of how immunizations work that I believe would be effective in educating the general populus. 

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncird/index.html

Galazka AM, Lauer BA, Henderson RH, Keja J. Indications and contraindications for vaccines used in the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Bulletin of the World Health Organization;62(3):357-366.

Dr. Tapping's Slides on Immunization Basics 

  • Christopher Lemoine
  • Owen Brewer