Although I am a non-biology major, I still found great value in, and was quite intrigued by, Ty Moeller’s talk on vaccines. Coming into the discussion, I had little idea on how vaccines actually worked, let alone the science or methodology behind their effectiveness. Therefore, it was very interesting to learn how an integral and vital part of us as humans operates both in our bodies, as well as in our society.
One of the most interesting facts about vaccines, to me, was how there are three different kinds of vaccines that can be put in our bodies: live, attenuated, and one from cell parts. I didn’t know there were any direct differences between vaccines, or that some actually place a living virus inside our bodies. I also found it fascinating how vaccines can contain cell parts, such as parts of some toxins, which are harmless to our bodies, but are used so our bodies could recognize the toxins and develop an immunity.
As interesting as it was to hear about how vaccines operate, it was also fascinating to hear about Ty’s research with an agent that is categorized as a bioterrorist threat, francisella tularensis. In the media, we typically hear about threats such as mass shootings and bombings. However, bioterrorism is still a present threat to society, which is why I find it interesting that Ty and other researchers are attempting to come up with a vaccine in order to save people in the event that bioterrorism and francisella tularensis is used for conflict or war. It was also fascinating to hear that Ty’s research was partly funded by the United States Government, as the government wants to be able to have a vaccine for certain bioterrorist agents like francisella tularensis in case they are used in possible conflict.
Although I still do not completely understand the biology around vaccines, I am now more informed about an integral part of our survival as humans. Without people like Ty doing research and developing vaccines, we as humans would be susceptible to many dangerous and deadly viruses and diseases. Now, next time I get a vaccine, I will appreciate the biology, as well as the research and development, that went into making an effective vaccination.
I’m also a non-biology major. I knew, prior to reading your blog, that some vaccines had live viruses, particularly because that’s one of the reasons my mom didn’t want me to get the swine flu vaccine back in middle school. She didn’t want me to risk getting infected by a vaccine that didn’t undergo much testing due to the high demand for the vaccine from the rapidly increasing infection rates. However, the part about vaccines containing organelles to build immunity to toxins was most certainly new to me. It’s always interesting to learn more about things that we pay little mind to but are very prevalent in our lives. I wish I could have attended. I really thought that bioterrorism was just a word thrown around in war movies. I never figured it was something that could happen, because anything of the sort, I assume, could quickly become an out of control pandemic.
Vaccines have an incredible biological component but when looking at vaccines in the scope of public health, I think they become even more enticing. You talked about potential bioterrorism threats in the coming years and how the government is preparing to handle such a situation. Do you think the government should mandate everyone get vaccinated so an outbreak doesn’t occur? While some may argue it goes against their civil liberties, is it something that should be explored and discussed more?