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Vaccinations, Smallpox and COVID_19

With the outbreak of COVID_19 disease has been at the forefront of the world’s mind. Health officials warn that the spread of the disease may continue to increase and so far, there is no working vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus. What of the diseases that already exist though?

This is not the first disease that humanity has faced and the rise of vaccinations has meant that we can now prevent the spread of diseases that once brought populations to their knees.

Diseases such as polio, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria that once presented a global threat have become far less common. Perhaps most famously, the Smallpox virus that once killed millions and spread through populations all over the world was eradicated in 1980. So how what exactly are vaccines? How reliable are they? And why are there communities in the world that refuse to use them?

What is a Vaccine?

Vaccines are used to prevent diseases through injecting the body with something that looks like the disease. This allows the immune system to create antibodies without the person actually having the disease. Sort of like a practice run. This means that if the body comes into contact with the disease it can quickly create the correct antibodies to stop the disease infecting the person.

So, Where do Vaccines Come From?

Vaccinations were first invented in the late 1700s when surgeon, Edward Jenner, observed that milkmaids who came into contact with the non-fatal cowpox were rarely effected in smallpox outbreaks. From this he discovered that being infected with the non- fatal cowpox strand prevented the maid from catching smallpox, thus creating the first vaccination. By the mid 20^th century vaccination research was rapidly expanded and vaccinations for many common diseases began to be developed and distributed. Since that time vaccinations have become widespread ways to control and prevent infectious diseases.

So how reliable are they? In short, very. Nothing is ever completely foolproof but on average childhood vaccines are 85-95% effective. If the majority of a population is vaccinated there is also the aspect of herd immunity. Herd immunity makes it much harder for diseases to spread and lowers the risk of infection for those that aren’t or can’t be vaccinated. In simple terms, a vaccinated population will survive.

So, why would anyone refuse this medical miracle? Largely, this is due to misinformation.

The Anti-Vax Movement

A large aspect of the anti-vax movement is based on a report published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield that claimed there was a link between vaccinations and autism. This report has since been debunked but the fears it created have remained and grown. This is in part because of the success of vaccines, many parents believe that the diseases vaccines protect against are not a threat because they have not seen them in their full force, while conditions such as autism are prevalent in the community. The current scientific consensus is that there is no link between vaccines and conditions such as autism and that a drop in vaccination rates is highly dangerous. It provides a situation in which diseases can rapidly spread, re-emerge and in some cases mutate to create far more dangerous strains. Recent outbreaks of the Measles in the US and Samoa have been reported to be exacerbated by anti-vax movements. The loss of herd immunity also poses a severe risk to those that can’t be vaccinated such as very young children and those undergoing some cancer treatments.

Vaccinations are possibly one of the most important medical breakthroughs. They have allowed us to eradicate and control diseases that humanity has battled throughout our history and saved countless people from suffering and death. As can be seen with COVID_19 and with recent outbreaks of Ebola, MERS and SARS one of the greatest threats to our species comes from the world of disease and vaccinations are perhaps one of the greatest weapons we have in the battle for survival on this planet.

How to Survive the Next Pandemic, Lessons from the Zombie Apocalypse

SARS, the Spanish Flu and the Justinian Plague

With the discovery of new and novel viruses such as SARS, H1N1 and recently the new Coronavirus 2019nCov, the impact and the devastation that diseases can cause has been in the forefront of the world’s mind. This, however, is not a new story, humanity has faced pandemics in the past, including the Justinian Plague which some experts believe killed up to a quarter of the population in the Eastern Mediterranean in the sixth century, the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the 1300s and the Spanish Flu that in the twentieth century wiped out 5% of the world population in only two years

We have learned since these times though, we have improved containment and detection measures, increased treatment capabilities and vaccinations and created organisations to combat such disasters. New diseases, however, still keep popping up with an average of five new diseases each year, many of the most dangerous jumping from animal to human populations. The interconnectedness of the world creates another risk, with viruses now able to travel through diverse populations with great ease and speed, as was seen with the SARS virus which infected people in 26 countries after originating in South East China, and the 2019nCov which has as of the third of February travelled to 25 countries.

Many experts believe that at some unknown point, the next global pandemic will be inevitable, whether this pandemic will be relatively benign or one to end us all is still yet to be seen.

What Do We Do About It?

Which brings us to the next issue, what do we do about it?
Governments and organisations around the world have been preparing for the next threat from the shadowy world of viruses for years, increasing measures to identify, contain and treat any new, emerging or mutating diseases. Combating issues such as global warming and climate change also may potentially slow or prevent new diseases emerging, as melting permafrost can cause new viruses to be exposed. Reducing logging and creating more sustainable farming methods to avoid wildlife and human populations from having to share the same spaces may also help stave off our doom.

Rick Grimes and the First Rule of Zombieland

On a more personal level, Columbus from Zombieland may not have had it completely wrong when he claimed the first rule of Zombieland is Cardio. Healthy populations have stronger immune systems and as such greater resistance to threats.

In addition, listening to health care organisations and following their instructions may help limit the effects of pandemics in the future.

Another lesson for surviving the next pandemic, don’t panic. Humanity has faced viruses since the beginning of life on Earth and will continue to face them, we have won this race before. Technology is always improving and protocols are always getting better.

And, the final lesson from the world TV and movies for surviving the next pandemic, as said by Rick Grimes, we survive this by pulling together not apart. If there is one thing that all these stories have in common it is the enduring hope and perseverance of humanity, and the fact that in the worst of times we find our strength in each other. That perhaps will be what in the end will save us all.
So roll the credits and take a bow, because as per

the script we are here to inevitably save the day.