Lecture: Vaccines

Explain the aims of immunisation
Describe in outline the immune system and how vaccines work in individuals and populations
Explain differences between innate, passive and active immunity
Describe the basic immune response to a vaccine
List the principle components of vaccines
Explain the difference between live and inactivated vaccines in terms of antigen, mode of action and contraindications.
List conditions that affect the immune response to a vaccine
Describe herd immunity and why it is important
Define basic reproductive number and be aware of its use in infectious disease epidemiology, in particular in the setting of population vaccination targets.
Describe the main features of vaccine preventable diseases using a standard framework (using pertussis as an example), including nature and frequency of acute and long term complications and the impact of vaccination on episodes of disease
Describe other therapies (immunoglobulins and antitoxin) and their use in control of vaccine preventable diseases.