Immunology 101 Series: The Return of the Mumps
In the eleventh installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the basics of the infectious disease mumps and the science behind the vaccines available for mumps.
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Posts from the ‘Immunology 101’ Category
Apr 13
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Nov 13
Immunology 101 Series: The Science Behind Flu Vaccines…and Why You Need One Every Year
In the tenth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind the vaccines for influenza.
It’s that time of year again. You guessed it – time to get your annual flu shot! As an immunologist I relish this time of year. The flu shot lets me train my immune system to defend me against the flu virus. I must admit that I call my children’s pediatrician office every year in late August and sign up for the first flu shot clinic available. I make sure that my family will have an immune army built, trained, and ready to defend us long before influenza (aka ‘the flu’) makes it to Denver! I do this because I know that the vaccines for influenza are safe and effective and that illness from the flu is very serious and potentially deadly. As a scientist who has read the literature, I understand that the risk from the flu shot is minimal compared to the danger of becoming sick from the flu.
Most people I encounter who are skeptical about the flu vaccine have the same questions. They often wonder why we need to get a flu shot every year, if the flu shot can actually give you the flu (spoiler alert – no!), and if the flu is even really a serious disease (spoiler alert – yes!).
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Jul 11
Immunology 101 Series: Adjuvants, Aluminum, and Gelatin! Oh My! The Scientific Scoop on Vaccine Ingredients
Are the ingredients in vaccines necessary and useful? YES!
All of the ingredients within vaccines are vital and play a role in important things like helping the immune system respond, maintaining the longevity of the vaccine itself, and keeping the vaccine safe from contamination.
In the ninth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind the ingredients in vaccines. Read more
Jun 12
Immunology 101 Series: To Keep You and Your Baby Safe, Vaccines Are Expected When You’re Expecting
True or False? A developing baby acquires protection against infectious diseases from its mother during pregnancy. TRUE! The immunizations a mother-to-be receives before and during pregnancy can help protect her newborn baby from some infectious diseases during the first few months of life.
In the eighth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind immunization and pregnancy.
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