Information on vaccines

 

Vaccines are composite immunobiological preparations, consisting of attenuated or killed microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) or their component parts (components), and auxiliary chemicals.

 

The vaccine consists of:

a)         antigens (pathogens, or parts thereof);

b)         adjuvants (substances enhancing the immunogenicity of antigens (i.e., the ability to cause immune responses);

c)         preservatives (stabilizing the preparation components): ethylene glycol, phenoxyethanol;

d)         disinfectants (to ensure the vaccine sterility): timerosal (mercury salt, phenol, benzethonium chloride methyparabenzoate,

e)         other chemicals, bacteria media traces remaining from the manufacturing process;

f)          solvent.

 

 

Micro-organisms or their parts are called antigens, which are genetically foreign to the body. It is therefore considered that the immune system recognizes them, thus bringing about an immune response and forming an immunity to the certain agent, i.e. resistance.

Theoretically, a vaccine antigen should cause an immune response similar to that of a natural pathogen of the disease, but the toxicity of the vaccine antigen is lower or minimal.

 

 

The so-called active artificial acquired immunity is caused, which is less than that of naturally acquired and its exact duration is unknown.

The immune system is too complex in order to predict and anticipate the body's response to a foreign protein injected with chemicals, which are themselves toxic. Artificial way of antigen access to the body is unnatural, because the agent naturally comes through the mucosa or the skin (unless with the exception of the hepatitis B virus). Therefore, an important part of innate immunity is circumvented, where the cells are sort of trained, and prepare another adaptive chain of immunity for a more efficient response. Therefore the effect may be either inadequate or too strong. The continuous stimulation of the immune system may cause its paralysis (i.e., the condition of tolerance, where the immune system can no more recognize the agent and allows it to multiply without interference). Pharmaceutical companies are concerned about higher vaccine sales turnover: up to date, there are no studies on long-term safety of the use of vaccines.

Everyone (children and their parents) have the right to make an informed decision on the vaccination themselves:

a)         It is necessary to understand the general nature of vaccination policy;

b)         You should find all available information on vaccines;

c)         You should decide what vaccine you want, or do not want, and why;

d)         If you decide to vaccinate, select the appropriate time.