TYPES OF VACCINES IV: SUBUNIT VACCINE

4. Subunit Vaccine

We've finally come down to the last types of vaccines that are clinically used.

Subunit vaccine presents an antigen to he immune system without introducing viral particles, whole or otherwise. The method of production involves isolation of a specific protein from a virus or bacterium (like bacterial toxin) and administers by itself. However, this vaccine does have a weakness where isolated proteins may have different three-dimensional structure than its normal context. This will cause the induction of our antibodies and causing it to not recognise the infectious organism. Not to mention, subunit vaccine has a weaker antibody responses that other classes of vaccines.

Subunit Vaccine

Out of all 4 types of vaccine, I think this is the raddest looking one. It also somehow reminds me of being a child, this is probably just me I don't know. What are your thoughts? Share them with everyone.

Till then, pals!

Sources:

• Google
• Wikipedia

TYPES OF VACCINES III: VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLE

Virus-Like Particle

3. Virus-Like Particle 

This vaccines consist of viral proteins which derived from the structural proteins of a virus. These proteins can self-assemble the virus from which they were derived. However, they lack of nucleic acid which means that they are not infectious. Because of the way they are, this virus-like particles tend to be more immuogenic than subbunit (we are going to discuss this on the next post!). This virus is currently used to treat Hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus.

This vaccine sounds more awesome than the last one don't ya'll think? Share your thoughts down below and we'll talk about it more.

Till then.

Sources:

• Google
• Wikipedia

TYPES OF VACCINE II: ATTENUATED VACCINE

2. Attenuated Vaccine

Attenuated vaccine is a live virus or bacteria with very low virulence administered. What they do is basically, they slowly replicate around themselves slowly. This vaccine requires less boosters because they tend to reproduce and continues to present antigen. However, there is a small chance of risk of reversion to virulence, which is smaller in vaccines with deletions. This type of vaccines can't also be used by those whose immunity is already compromised.

This type of vaccine sounds super cool to me but at the same time quite intimidating. What are your thoughts on it? Leave a comment and we shall discuss more about it!

Till then.

Sources:

• Google
• Wikipedia

TYPES OF VACCINES I:

As everyone know, vaccine is a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases. But there are actually several ways on how vaccines can do that.

There 4 main types of vaccines that are currently in clinical use. First I'm going to discuss on the use of inactive vaccine.

1. Inactive Vaccine

Inactive vaccine works with the use of virus or bacteria that's been grown in culture and then killed by heat or formaldehyde. Even though the virus or bacteria has been killed, it can't replicate itself. When it is manufactured correctly, the vaccine is not infectious. However, improper inactivation can cause infectious particles.

Inactive Vaccine

Sources:

• Google
• Wikipedia

WORLD IMMUNIZATION DAY

World Immunization Week is a global public health campaign to raise awareness and increase rates of immunization against diseases around the world. The campaign takes place every year during the last week of April. The campaign is marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Tuberculosis Day and many more. 

The history behind this campaign is that the World Health Assembly endorsed the campaign sometime in 2012. Before this, the campaign was observed differently in terms of dates in different regions of the world. Now, over 180 countries participates in the campaign.

Sources:

• Google
• Wikipedia

VACCINATION IN MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health administers a mandatory vaccine programme for children under 15 in public schools. This programme is to help those who are less fortunate and are not able to pay the expenses of vaccination. And since not everyone can afford getting vaccines, this is a great way to help lift off the parents' burden in spending more than they should.

The Ministry of Health  also provides vaccination schedule in raising awareness of the importance of getting immunized.

Vaccination schedule in Malaysia

 Here are also a list of optional vaccines in Malaysia:

> 6 WEEKS : Rotavirus 

>2 MONTHS : Pneumococcal

> 6 MONTHS : Influenza

> 10 MONTHS : Hepatitis A

> 12 MONTHS :Chicken pox

Sources:

• Google
• Infomed

THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES III: ANIMALS

Vaccines aren't only for humans, animals need some lovin' too. So, in this post I'm going to talk about the importance of getting animals vaccinated.

Get your pets vaccinated

If you have a pet at home or know anyone that does, please know that they need to be vaccinated. This is because animals too can get infected with many diseases like rabies (which can also spread to people), heartworm disease and more. Not to mention, when they are vaccinated, they will live a long and healthy life, making them a better companion.

If you have a cat, here are some of the core vaccines that they need:

• Panleukopenia
• Feline calicivirus
• Feline herpesvirus type I
• Rabies

For dogs, here are the core vaccines that you need:

• Canine parvovirus
• Distemper
• Canine hepititis
• Rabies

And lastly for rabbits:

• Myxomatosis
• Rabbit haemorrhagic Disease (RHD).

Keep in mind that animals need to be vaccinated every 3 years or so (depends on the condition of your pet). And don't forget to get some advice from your veterinarian regarding your pet and the vaccines!

Till then friends.

Sources:

• ASPCA.org
• AVMA.org
• RSPCA.org
• Google