Immunizations Harmful or benificial?

Introduction

Immunization is a procedure routinely used to improve the body's ability to overcome infection and protect against diseases caused by infectious agents. It works against a specific disease by training the immune system to rapidly recognize and eliminate the infectious agent that causes that disease, thus resulting in immunity. Protection can be acquired either by passive or by active immunization.

Passive immunization involves transfer of antibodies obtained from an immune donor to a nonimmune individual and results in temporary immunity. Currently, antibody-based therapies represent a form of treatment for disorders induced by venoms or toxins and for viral infections. Injections of antibody preparations derived from immunized human donors are used for the prophylaxis and treatment of tetanus, rabies, and pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as infections caused by hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and varicellazoster virus. Monoclonal antibodies are expected to replace preparations derived from human donors. However, at this time, only one monoclonal antibody has been licensed for an infectious disease (RSV infection) (Barry, 160).

The Immune System

A basic understanding of the immune system helps to clarify the importance and problems inherent in vaccinations. When the body is exposed to a pathogen the body responds in several ways. There are components of the innate immune system that react to whatever pathogen gains entry into the body. The innate immune system reaction is rapid, but is nonspecific and confers no “memory” meaning that if the body is exposed to the same pathogen again the response is not faster nor stronger the second time. There are several cell types that are involved in the innate immune response including mast cells, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. While these cells all have specific functions, they have the capacity to kill a broad range of infecting organisms. Innate immunity is a more primitive response, and there are similar defense mechanisms in not only humans, but all plant and animal life. (Naito 39-48)

In contrast, the adaptive immune system is composed of several different cell types, including B cells which are responsible for making antibodies. Antibodies recognize specific features of an infectious organism, and by binding, can promote the sequestration, removal or engulfment of that pathogen. T-cells can help direct the immune system and can also directly kill cells of the body that are infected with a pathogen. It takes longer for the adaptive immune system to respond to an infectious agent. However, upon exposure to a bacteria or virus there is concurrently the process of eliminating the offending agent and also the development of “memory” cells. (Wilson 75-84)

These memory cells, both B and T-cells, have been exposed to a particular infectious agent so that upon a second exposure there is a more rapid and specific response that can clear the body of that particular infection before it has a chance to cause disease. Oftentimes there is a cumulative response, in that a single exposure does provide some level of memory and protection, but multiple exposures are needed ...