The original vaccination was created by Edward Jenner in an effort to while out Small pox.
Click here to see an image of small pox.
A vaccine is an introduction of pathogenic material which stimulates an immune response in an individual.
Smallpox was a devastating virus which killed millions of people. It wasn’t until 1796 that English physician discovered the cure.
He noticed that individuals who have been infected with cow pox do not develop small pox.
Click here to see cow pox
The reason for this, is that the small pox virus and cow pox virus are extremely similar. Their antigen markers are similar too each other.
However the cow pox virus does not kill and the symptoms generally subside over time.
Cow Pox
Small Pox
Edward scrapped a cow pox sore and then infected a young boy called James Phipps. The boy developed cow pox and eventually over came the virus.
Edward then infected James with small pox. A week later James still had not developed any symptoms of small pox.
He then went on to test his theory on multiple different people. This was the first really vaccination.
Vaccinations can come in many different forms. In small pox and cow pox, the viruses where extremely similar and presented similar antigens. This allowed the immune system to make antibodies against small pox, before it hurt the body.
Another way is to send a weakened version of the virus into the body. Since viruses are extremely simple, it is possible to alter them so they cause very little too no damage. This is how we get the vaccine for measles, mumps and chickenpox.
This method is harder for bacteria, due to their complexity. This is how the vaccine for cholera is made.
We can kill the pathogen with chemicals, heat or radiation and use it to create a vaccine. Although this is a safer method than using a live, weaker pathogen, the immune response isn’t as strong. This results in additional shots or booster shots.
Attenuated Vaccines
Inactivated Vaccines
Instead of using the whole organism, the pathogen is broken up and only the antigen markers are used in the vaccine.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is a subunit vaccine. The DNA responsible for making hepatitis B antigens was placed into common baker’s yeast and the antigens where then harvested and turned into a vaccine.
