Abstract
Since Edward Jenner discovered that injecting cowpox virus into humans could prevent smallpox, the science of immunology has produced many vaccines that have virtually eradicated some of the worst childhood diseases known to mankind. Along with this great benefit, some vaccines carry with them potentially serious side effects. This review considers the mechanisms of immunology and how these are taken advantage of in vaccine production. The pharmacist is then acquainted with each of the vaccines used in childhood: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis (DTP); oral polio vaccine (OPV); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and Hemophilus influenza type b vaccine (HIB). A review of each respective disease entity is considered along with each vaccines's method of production, immunization schedule, and adverse reactions. Some of the more controversial issues of vaccination are considered such as the use of live attenuated vaccines in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive children and the inadvertent use of rubella vaccine in pregnant women. This report capitalizes on the most recent recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee in order to provide the pharmacist with the most current information in the field of vaccine immunology today.
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