The History Of Synthetic Vaccines

Vaccines are substances used to stimulate that production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases 10. Vaccines have come so far since the very first one was made. There has been some health scares along the way but they keep coming up with new and improved vaccines that will continue to help prevent disease. Topics discussed in this paper consist of the history of vaccine, development of vaccines, how they are used and the chemistry behind synthetic vaccines. The history of vaccines dates back all the way to the 1790’s. The first one was the smallpox vaccines created by Edward Jenner. The smallpox vaccine was created when Jenner took fluid from cowpox blister and then scratched it onto an eight year old boy1. On

The differences between the two is that one is developed from the virus itself and the other is all man made. The first synthetic vaccine was made in 1982. A synthetic vaccine, by definition, is a vaccine that contains mainly synthetic peptides or carbohydrates 10. Synthetic vaccines are made by targeting the amino acid or protein sequence, they look find the peptide that sets off a protective immune response and use those peptides to create a safe and more effective vaccine 7. Synthetic vaccines have no chance of mutation and revision, therefore making them much safer than ones with bacterial culture. They offer a more systematic approach to vaccine therapy. These vaccines are based on complex carbohydrate-protein. The use of only a minimal microbial component helps these vaccines. It makes them able to stimulate long lasting protection against the pathogen. The chemical synthesis almost removes the problem that occur with biological vaccinations(See Appendix

It is what helps prime the immune system so that when comes into contact with the virus fight it quickly, faster than a vaccine without it added. Adjuvants make a vaccine more effective and help them work more efficient. There is a complete unknown part to why these adjuvants like: double stranded RNA and lipopolysaccharide, work so well in vaccines. Scientist still do not completely understand the biochemistry behind these vaccines; how adjuvants can co-stimulate the immune system 9. In conclusion, vaccines have come a long way when compared to where they started. From taking a similar form of a virus and scratching it into the skin, to creating man made vaccines that are way more effective. Researchers have learned so much already about vaccines and they will continue to learn more through their work. Biochemical backgrounds in vaccines are almost completely unknown but it will continue to change as knowledge will grow through technological