Vaccination therapy : Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Vaccination therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses vaccines to treat certain types of cancer and other diseases. The therapy involves giving a type of vaccine that contains components from a tumor or from the diseased cell(s) to stimulate an immune response against the targeted antigens. This response can be either local or systemic, meaning it can target cells directly within the tumor or throughout the body as a whole, depending on the patient’s needs.

• Live-attenuated vaccine: Live-attenuated vaccines contain weakened forms of the virus or bacteria they are meant to protect against. These types of vaccines stimulate an immune response similar to actually having the illness itself, and often provide longer and stronger protection than inactivated or subunit vaccines.
• Inactivated vaccine: Inactivated vaccines contain killed or “inactive” forms of viruses or bacteria that form part of a vaccination series to protect against infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, cholera and influenza (flu).
• Toxoid vaccine: Toxoid vaccines contain toxins from certain bacterial infections that have been treated with formaldehyde or other chemicals in order to make them harmless but still immunogenic enough for producing immunity amongst recipients. Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids are used as components in combination vaccines for these two diseases.
• Subunit vaccine: Subunit vaccines are made from only part of an infectious agent (bacteria or virus), usually composed of one its surface proteins which helps stimulate immunity without causing illness in recipients due to its weakened nature compared to whole bacteria/virus particles in fully active forms.
• Recombinant vector vaccine: Recombinant vector vaccines use viruses such as vaccinia (cowpox) virus which have been engineered by inserting genes from other viruses into their genome; this new modified virus can give immunity much like a live attenuated virus but without potential harmful side effects due to its weakened nature ensuring no active replication inside the body compared to live attenuated viruses used for immunisations typically.

• Vaccination therapy has numerous benefits for individuals of all ages.
• It can protect us from life-threatening diseases, reduce the spread of disease by immunizing large portions of the population, provide long-term immunity protection and keep medical costs low by lessening the need for healthcare visits due to illnesses.
• Vaccination therapy can also help improve overall public health through early detection and prevention of illness.
• Additionally, vaccinating children can increase their chances of leading a healthy life and reduce mortality rates in areas with poor healthcare infrastructure.

• To develop immunity: Vaccination therapy uses the safe & weakened forms of microbes to stimulates the production of antibodies and help develop immunity or resistance against them.
• Prevention against diseases: Vaccination can prevent people from getting certain infections that cause serious illnesses such as measles, rubella and polio.
• Disease control: Vaccination can also help to control certain infectious diseases and reduce the spread of disease-causing pathogens in a population.
• Save lives: Vaccines are important to save lives, especially for those individuals with weakened immune systems or those who cannot get vaccinated due to health conditions that make it unsafe for them.

Vaccination therapy can pose a few risks, including:-

• Allergic reaction: Vaccines are derived from dead or weakened strains of viruses, and some individuals may have an allergic reaction to these components. Symptoms of an allergic reaction typically appear right after being vaccinated and may include hives, wheezing, swelling of the face and throat, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a weak pulse.
• Autoimmune reaction: Vaccines contain antigens that can trigger an autoimmune response in some individuals, leading to illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.
• Infection: A vaccine may be contaminated with germs or bacteria that can cause infection in some people who receive them. The risk for infection is low but remains possible in rare cases.
• Neurotoxicity: Research shows that there is a possibility of neurotoxicity resulting from certain types of vaccines due to their heavy metal components (e.g., mercury). Studies indicate this risk is low but results in symptoms such as deafness or seizures if present. This risk has become much lower since vaccination protocols were improved with advanced screening protocols between 1999-2001 that removed thimerosal from most childhood vaccines.

• In order to get the best results from Vaccination therapy, it is important to take time to prepare beforehand. Here are some tips on how to do this:-
• Talk to your doctor about what the Vaccination therapy entails so that you will know exactly what to expect. Ask for an estimate of the amount of time and money you will need to invest in the treatment.
• Make sure you get all of your necessary vaccinations up-to-date before beginning this therapy, so that you can maximize its effectiveness upon beginning the process.
• Finish any tests or other treatments that may be necessary prior to beginning this treatment, so that they do not interrupt the process or cause unexpected delays during the Vaccination therapy.
• Arrange transportation and childcare before beginning your treatment if needed, as these tasks will be difficult (if not impossible) for you to accomplish during or after your therapy sessions.

• Vaccination therapy is a type of immunotherapy that involves administering a weakened or killed form of a disease-causing pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, to the patient.
• This triggers an immune response in the body, which helps to build up immunity against the particular disease. Typically, this vaccination will be given in several doses and will require re-vaccination at regular intervals in order to maintain the level of immunity created.

• Patient's medical history should be obtained.
• Vaccination type and schedule should be decided upon.
• Allergy testing and screening tests should be performed as needed.
• The vaccination site should be cleaned with soap and water or antiseptic solution, if necessary.

• The skin at the injection site should be carefully prepared with an antiseptic solution or rubbing alcohol, if desired by the provider.
• The vaccine should be injected into the patient at the appropriate dose and location according to medical guidelines and protocols
• An age-appropriate bandage may be applied to cover the injection site, as needed or desired by the provider.
• The patient’s vital signs, including pulse rate, respiratory rate and temperature, should be monitored for any signs of potential adverse reactions to the vaccine immediately after it has been administered—as determined by clinical judgement.

• The patient's physical condition should be monitored for any signs of potential allergic reactions or other adverse reactions to the vaccine for an appropriate length of time afterwards —as determined by clinical judgement
• Any adverse reactions or severe symptoms noted in patient post-vaccination procedure must be reported to medical personnel promptly
• The patient will likely need to return for booster vaccinations depending on the type of vaccination administered
• Instructions regarding proper aftercare such as keeping track of immunization records, maintaining a healthy lifestyle choices i..e diet, sleep ,exercise etc., may need to be provided.

The cost of Vaccination therapy in India varies depending on the exact vaccine and dosage. Generally, vaccines available in India are priced between 50 to 300 rupees per dose. Some vaccines such as those for HPV or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) may cost more.

The following are some suggestions on what to eat:-

• Fruits and vegetables: Fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas and berries are packed with vitamins. Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and bell peppers are high in antioxidants. Both of these types of food can help promote your body’s natural ability to fight infections.
• Whole grains: Whole grains like oats, quinoa and barley have plenty of vitamins and minerals that can fuel your body with energy for the day.
• Lean proteins: Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey or fish provide essential amino acids needed for the growth of new cells in your body which can help boost your immune system after vaccination therapy.
• Healthy fats: Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados and nuts provide both omega 3 fatty acids which aid in bone health and immunity construction after the treatment.

Yes, Vaccination therapy is generally considered safe. The benefits of such therapy significantly outweigh the risks for most people.

It can take anywhere from 7 to 28 days to recover from the effects of a vaccination. However, it is important to note that individual responses can vary and that some people may take longer than others to fully recover.

Common side effects associated with Vaccination Therapy include redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site, fever or feeling ill, and headache.

Other more rare side effects may include an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face), infections at the injection site, nausea and vomiting, and soreness or muscle aches.

• Monitor and track your response to the vaccine; note changes in your symptoms and any reactions the vaccine may cause.
• Discuss any concerns you may have about post-vaccination reactions with your healthcare provider.
• Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to help reduce the risk of developing fatigue or other post-vaccine side effects.
• Take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage any pain or fever that may occur after vaccination.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness) after receiving a vaccine, as these could be signs of an allergic reaction or a serious illness potentially related to vaccination.
• Make sure to seek medical advice if you experience continued discomfort after receiving a vaccine, such as persistent fever or muscle pain that lasts more than two days after vaccination; this could be a sign of an unresolved infection or other medical condition resulting from vaccination, which needs prompt medical attention and further testing or treatment if necessary.

Vaccination therapy is a safe and simple option compared with more invasive treatments, while also having the potential to provide long-term benefits. Vaccines are seen by many as one of the most promising methods for prevention and treatment of numerous diseases that affect us today.