Vaccines: The case of measles

[Andem]

Great advances in the development and distribution of vaccines mean that some diseases can be eradicated. Measles is an important case study: efforts to stem the disease have been successful, but uneven political commitment, lack of funds and public fear threaten to undermine the progress.



PAST: A KILLER CRUSHED

In 1980, before vaccination was widespread, there were around 4 million cases of measles and an estimated 2.6 million deaths from the disease worldwide. Childhood mortality targets set by the United Nations, along with accelerated control programmes, have cut the proportion of childhood deaths caused by measles from 7% in 1990 to 1% in 2008.

Vaccines: The case of measles : Nature News

 

[talloola]

good work, so much better than, 'when' I was a little girl.

 

[Tonington]

I'm fortunate enough to be working on groundbreaking technology platforms at work. DNA vaccines. Far more efficacious than the standard viral vaccines. We grow the DNA inside a bacteria, then lyse the cell and extract the purified DNA. When the DNA is injected into muscle tissue, the viral DNA begins replicating inside the host cells, and the immune response begins. We already have one commercially licensed DNA vaccine, and are working on another one right now. Hopefully in the future, all of our viral vaccines will be based on this platform.

 

[talloola]

I'm fortunate enough to be working on groundbreaking technology platforms at work. DNA vaccines. Far more efficacious than the standard viral vaccines. We grow the DNA inside a bacteria, then lyse the cell and extract the purified DNA. When the DNA is injected into muscle tissue, the viral DNA begins replicating inside the host cells, and the immune response begins. We already have one commercially licensed DNA vaccine, and are working on another one right now. Hopefully in the future, all of our viral vaccines will be based on this platform.

that is so interesting, if I was at an age where I could make a choice of post secondary education,
I would be interested in this area of science, it is amazing.

 

[Tonington]

that is so interesting, if I was at an age where I could make a choice of post secondary education,
I would be interested in this area of science, it is amazing.

The job opportunities in bio-tech are amazing, as are the possibilities for new research. Our customers are excited as well, as this disease costs fish farmers in Europe many millions of dollars during outbreaks.

It's a shame, I think, that there are not more DNA vaccines licensed. To my knowledge, I don't think there are any in the human health field, and I think there may be only one other in the animal health field, besides our own.

I will have many fish to sample in the first week of June, going to be some long days at work!

 

[Sparrow]

Great advances in the development and distribution of vaccines mean that some diseases can be eradicated. Measles is an important case study: efforts to stem the disease have been successful, but uneven political commitment, lack of funds and public fear threaten to undermine the progress.



PAST: A KILLER CRUSHED

In 1980, before vaccination was widespread, there were around 4 million cases of measles and an estimated 2.6 million deaths from the disease worldwide. Childhood mortality targets set by the United Nations, along with accelerated control programmes, have cut the proportion of childhood deaths caused by measles from 7% in 1990 to 1% in 2008.

Vaccines: The case of measles : Nature News

Measles is not eradicated, just like polio, diphtheria, typhoid, tuberculosis etc. they have been controlled. Look at the comeback of some of these diseases because people refuse to have their children vaccinated.

However it is good news from Tonington about vaccine made with DNA.

 

[Tonington]

Small pox was eradicated though, through immunization. Another disease this year was added to the list, rinderpest, which is a cattle plague. We have eliminated two diseases with vaccination!