Vaccinations are a key topic in the health debate that is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions. While many people value the protection that vaccines offer, there is a lot of misinformation that can lead to uncertainty. These challenges highlight the need to clearly distinguish facts from myths about vaccination.
The history of vaccination goes back centuries and has evolved considerably since then. Vaccines have ensured that many dangerous diseases have been pushed back, which underlines the importance of their development and use. Especially in times of global health crises, the value of vaccination becomes undeniably clear.
In this article, we will look at the various aspects of vaccination, from its historical development to how it works and current developments. We will also look at the social responsibility associated with vaccinations and how we can counteract vaccination fatigue.
Vaccinations have a fascinating history. Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux developed the first anthrax vaccine in 1881, followed by the rabies vaccine in 1885. These developments were groundbreaking for medical progress. The first national vaccination programs were introduced at the end of the 19th century. Vaccinations against smallpox began in England in 1867 and in the German Empire in 1874.
In the German Empire, compulsory vaccination remained in place until the 20th century, while it was relaxed in England from 1898. One tragic event was the Lübeck vaccination disaster of 1930, in which 77 children died as a result of a contaminated vaccine. This led to a debate about state vaccination programs.
Passive immunization also has a long tradition. Paul Ehrlich, Emil von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato developed such a method against diphtheria and tetanus in 1890. Their knowledge of bacterial pathogens was crucial.
Important historical vaccinations:
The history of vaccinations shows how crucial they are for people's health.
Vaccinations are an important protection against infectious diseases. They were developed to prevent serious and potentially fatal diseases that used to have a major impact on society.
Thanks to vaccinations, some dangerous diseases have been almost completely eradicated. The effectiveness varies depending on the specific vaccination and the individual body's response. Age, gender and existing health problems influence the immune response.
Despite a vaccination, it is possible for someone to fall ill. This is due to individual and medical factors. However, vaccinations are not only important for the individual person.
Here are some benefits of vaccinations:
Vaccinations therefore make a valuable contribution to everyone's health. They promote the well-being of society by curbing the spread of diseases.
Vaccinations are crucial for health. They protect us from serious infectious diseases that once claimed millions of victims. A high level of immunization among the population is important. It not only protects each individual, but also the community by breaking chains of infection.
Vaccinations work by Immune system activate it. They bring it into contact with weakened or killed pathogens. This leads to the formation of antibodies. These provide lasting protection against diseases.
However, the effectiveness of vaccinations can vary. It depends on factors such as age and state of health. Nevertheless, they offer reliable protection against many infections. In many cases, they can even prevent life-threatening complications.
In summary, vaccinations are one of the most important measures for maintaining health. They help to prevent epidemics and protect both healthy and immunocompromised people.
Basic immunization should begin a few days after birth. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends early vaccination in order to provide optimum protection. Combination vaccines can be used to protect against several diseases with a single vaccination. This simplifies the process and increases protection for children.
Basic immunization includes important vaccinations. These include diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. Also vaccinations against Hib, hepatitis B and meningococcus are also part of the program. Measles, mumps and rubella are also covered, as is pneumococcus. The aim is to achieve a high vaccination coverage rate. This protects the community through herd immunity.
Booster vaccinations are necessary to maintain vaccination protection. They normally take place between the ages of 7 and 15. These boosters are crucial to ensure protection throughout childhood and adolescence.
The 6-vaccine is offered in the first two years of life. It provides effective protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. Also Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B are covered. These vaccines are crucial for reducing the risk of infection at an early stage.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. These diseases can have serious consequences, which is why the MMR vaccine is essential. Vaccinations against pneumococci are also part of the program. They offer protection against a serious bacterial infection that mainly affects young children.
These vaccinations are offered free of charge to ensure that all children have access. Children and adolescents also receive two booster vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough to ensure long-term protection.
|
Disease |
Vaccine |
Time of first vaccination |
|---|---|---|
|
Diphtheria |
6-fold vaccination |
a few days after birth |
|
Whooping cough |
6-fold vaccination |
a few days after birth |
|
Measles |
MMR vaccine |
in the first year of life |
|
Pneumococcus |
Pneumococcal vaccination |
a few days after birth |
The aim of vaccination is to prevent serious illnesses and epidemics. These measures are essential for the health of the entire community.
Vaccines contain attenuated or inactivated pathogens. These pathogens stimulate the immune systemto form antibodies and build up an immunological memory. This enables the immune system can react more quickly and in a more targeted manner when it comes into contact with the real pathogen. In order to achieve long-term immunity, several partial vaccinations are often necessary.
Protein-based vaccines, such as the Nuvaxovid vaccine, use specific protein components of the pathogen to activate the immune response. Adjuvants, such as saponin-based Matrix-M, are used to strengthen this response.
In active immunization, the immune system is stimulated by the administration of pathogens. These pathogens can be dead or alive, but attenuated. Dead vaccines contain dead pathogens or parts of them that cannot multiply. In contrast, live vaccines contain attenuated live pathogens that do not cause disease, but still stimulate the immune system. immune system stimulate the immune system.
A key advantage is that active immunization stimulates the immune system to develop a memory. This results in long-term protection, as the body produces specific antibodies.
In passive immunization, ready-made antibodies are administered. This method works quickly, but the protection only lasts a few weeks as the antibodies are broken down. One example is mother-to-child immunization, in which antibodies are transferred from the mother to the unborn child via the placenta.
Injections of anti-D immune serum in pregnant women are another form of passive immunization. These prevent haemolytic neonatal disease in the newborn. Passive immunization is also used in cases of suspected rabies after animal bites to ensure immediate treatment. With simultaneous immunization, patients receive both active and passive immunization for comprehensive protection.
The efficacy of vaccines against severe COVID-19 disease lasts at least 12 months. However, protection against symptomatic infections decreases over time. Booster vaccinations can increase efficacy again, especially against previous infections and variants.
Historical data from the USA shows that vaccination programs have drastically reduced the number of infections for diseases such as diphtheria and measles. Even if no vaccination offers 100% protection, they significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease. Vaccines are approved in Europe by the EMA after a risk/benefit assessment. Their effectiveness is evaluated in clinical trials, in particular randomized controlled trials.
Vaccination reactions following COVID-19 vaccination with protein-based vaccines such as Nuvaxovid can cause local reactions. These include tenderness and pain at the injection site. Common systemic reactions include severe fatigue, headaches and muscle pain, which usually subside after a few days.
Very rarely, anaphylactic reactions have been reported following administration of the Nuvaxovid vaccine. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardium) have also been observed. The concomitant use of certain painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can impair the immune response and reduce the production of protective antibodies.
Vaccine technology has made great progress in recent years. Vaccines against human rotaviruses have been available in Europe and the USA since 2006, preventing severe diarrhea in infants. The vaccine against papillomaviruses, which cause cervical cancer, was also approved at that time. These innovations in vaccine development help to save millions of euros through avoided medical treatments. Old vaccines are constantly being improved to increase their product purity and efficacy, often using genetic engineering methods. New forms of application, such as nasal application, are intended to better mimic the natural route of infection.
mRNA vaccines are a breakthrough in modern medicine. They can be quickly adapted to new virus variants, as the mRNA building blocks can be easily changed in the laboratory. This adaptation enables rapid production and distribution of the vaccines. COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines are an example of this. They can be stored at moderate temperatures, making logistics easier. It is important to note that mRNA vaccines do not alter the genome. The mRNA is degraded by the body and only contains the spike protein of the virus, which immune system activates the immune system.
Vector vaccines use harmless viruses as a transport medium. These vector viruses bring the genetic information of virus components into the cells. The human cells then produce these virus components and the immune system reacts to this. The vector viruses either do not multiply in the body at all or only for a short time. The immune system then combats both the vector viruses and the introduced genetic information. Integration into the human genome is not possible.
These technological advances in vaccine development offer promising prospects for combating infectious diseases worldwide.
In Germany, it has been possible since 2001 to impose mandatory vaccination by statutory order in the event of a threat from communicable diseases. The Infection Protection Act (IfSG) allows the Federal Ministry of Health to order vaccinations. This is particularly the case when severe forms of a disease occur and an epidemic spread is expected.
Historically, compulsory vaccination was introduced in Germany for some diseases, such as smallpox in the 1980s. Many EU countries also have mandatory vaccination laws. This underlines the social responsibility in the healthcare system.
Healthcare staff in hospitals have a moral obligation to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. This protection is crucial to prevent the further spread of diseases.
Advantages of mandatory vaccination:
Possible disadvantages:
Mandatory vaccination emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility as a society and is therefore one of the key measures against epidemics of infectious diseases.
Vaccine hesitancy is a growing problem that needs to be addressed. In view of the low vaccination rates in the old federal states between 1974 and 1991 and the experiences after reunification, it is important to develop strategies to increase the willingness to be vaccinated.
|
Year |
Old federal states |
New federal states |
|---|---|---|
|
1974-1991 |
<10% |
90% |
|
After 1991 |
decreased |
decreased |
These measures can help to reduce vaccination fatigue and increase protection against infectious diseases.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) draws up a vaccination calendar for Germany every year. This lists recommended vaccinations for different age groups. Adults should receive a booster vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus every ten years. A one-off booster against pertussis is also recommended, especially for older people aged 60 and 75. Additional vaccinations are important for certain people, for example in certain professions or with existing illnesses. These reduce the risk of infection or serious illness. Pregnant women and high-risk patients such as organ transplant patients or cancer patients require special recommendations, as their immune response is often limited.
Pregnant women should start receiving the recommended vaccinations in the 2nd trimester. The STIKO advises vaccinations against influenza and pertussis to protect the mother and unborn child. Basic COVID-19 immunity is also important and should include at least three antigen contacts. One of these components must be a vaccination. Vaccinations should be planned together with the treating doctor. In this way, the optimal vaccination times can be determined in order to provide the unborn child with the best possible protection from the mother's antibodies.
Vaccinations may be less effective for people with autoimmune diseases. This depends on their disease and the medication used. Studies show that some people do not produce antibodies after a COVID-19 vaccination. Organ transplant recipients and patients with cancer are particularly affected. Their antibody levels are often lower. Age and immune senescence can also reduce the immune response. It is therefore important to develop individual vaccination recommendations for this group in order to provide them with optimal protection.
Vaccinations are a key pillar in the fight against infectious diseases. They have successfully contributed to controlling or even eliminating numerous dangerous diseases.
Important points on the role of vaccinations:
Despite the successes, there are sometimes misunderstandings, especially with large vaccination campaigns. Illnesses or deaths that coincide with vaccinations are often not directly caused by the vaccine.
List of frequently recommended vaccinations:
Vaccinations not only provide vaccination protection for individuals, but also help to prevent epidemics of infectious diseases and thus protect the entire population. This also keeps immunodeficient people safe.
Source: istockphoto andreswd
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