Human Vaccines Plays an Important Role for All Ages

Vaccine and Immunization

Few combinations of scientific development and large-scale delivery rival the impact that vaccines and associated immunization programs have had on human health and well being. The scientific and pharmaceutical enterprises have developed vaccines to protect humans against dozens of diseases.

Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccines reduce the risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds.

A human vaccine is a biological substance designed to protect humans from infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Vaccines are also called immunizations because they take advantage of our natural immune system's ability to prevent infectious illness.

We now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunization currently prevents 3.5-5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles.

Vaccination for All ages

Vaccination by using human vaccines plays an important role for all ages; Infancy and Childhood, Adolescents, Maternal, Adults, and Elderly/Senior Citizens.

Vaccine for infancy and Childhood (Birth to 10 years of Age)

Vaccines are generally administered to children according to a recommended immunization schedule to prevent common and rare illnesses. Regular check-ups to the doctor are usually done to ensure children are up-to-date with their shots. The following diseases can be prevented through vaccination:

Recommended Immunization Schedule for birth to 10 years

Vaccine for Adolescents (11 to 18 years of Age)

Preteens and teenagers are still at high risk of getting infected and since they have fewer appointments to the doctor than when they were younger, they still need to be regularly immunized. Recommended vaccines are as follows:

Influenza (Flu) vaccine – 1 dose annually Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular pertussis (Tdap) - a booster shot is recommended at age 11-12. Meningococcal vaccine – 1st dose is administered at age 11-12 and a booster shot at age 16 to extend protection into the college years. Human papillomavirus – a 3-dose series between the age of 11 and 12.

Recommended Immunization Schedule from ages 11 years to 18 years

Vaccine for Maternal

Vaccination during pregnancy is shown to be effective in protecting the mother and unborn baby from illnesses. Maternal immunization provides immunity to the mother, fetus, and newborn baby through the transplacental transfer of vaccine maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG). Maternal IgG gives passive insusceptibility amid the initial 6 months of a newborn child's life preceding the baby's capacity to completely respond to immunization. Maternal immunization can likewise prevent sickness in both the mother and her unborn child during a highly risky situation in their lives. Presently, the only vaccines approved for use during pregnancy are for influenza (flu) and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis). Other vaccines that should be consulted with a doctor before administering are for immunization from the following diseases: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal disease, and Pneumococcal disease.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in particular, causes infections of the lungs and the respiratory tract. It is a common illness that affects most children below two years of age. It is considered  the single most common reason for infant hospitalization in the US, that 5 to 20 out of 1000 will require hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Presently, a safe vaccine for RSV that can be given to infants has not yet been developed.

The use of a polyclonal antibody preparation called RSV-immunoglobulin intravenous (IGIV), marketed as RespiGam™ as a means of passive immunization against RSV was the first attempt of prevention. It is no longer commercially available due to advances in neutralizing monoclonal antibody technology. The Synagis®, is the only FDA-approved medication that may prevent RSV infections and protect high-risk babies from serious complications associated with RSV disease. Though not a vaccine, Synagis® contains virus-fighting antibodies that can be administered every 28-30 days. As the product is a monoclonal antibody, protection is only for a limited span of time, resulting in only short-term protection.

28-30 days. As the product is a monoclonal antibody, protection is only for a limited span of time, resulting in only short-term protection.

Vaccine for Adults (19 - 64 years of Age)

As humans age, appointments to the doctor are becoming fewer, thereby increasing their chances of getting infected since they are less likely to be up-to-date with their recommended vaccines. Immunization is an integral component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and as such, adults should be committed to it.

Throughout adulthood, it is recommended that adults be vaccinated against the following diseases:

Recommended Immunization Schedule from the ages of 19 years to 64 years

Production of Human Vaccine

Vaccines are produced on a large scale as they need to be administered to large populations of children and adults to be effective as a public health tool. This large-scale production is often a challenge. Vaccine production has several stages. ESCO VacciXCell provides upstream process technology to produce human vaccines with adherent cell culture.

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