Supervisors info:
Τσιτσιλώνη Ουρανία, Καθηγήτρια Ανοσολογίας, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The present thesis comprises a theoretical part and a teaching approach concerning the most recent data on vaccines. It is part of the Master’s Degree Programme entitled “Didactics of Biology”.
The theoretical part includes five chapters. The first is the “HISTORY OF VACCINATION” through a description of the achievements of Jenner and Pasteur. In the second chapter, “MOST RECENT DATA ON VACCINES”, we firstly quote the vaccines that have been produced until now, the diseases for which there is still no vaccine available, the main types of vaccines, their components and the National Vaccination Programme for Children and Adults. Additionally, we explain the importance of herd immunity, the most recent data in Europe concerning vaccine- preventable diseases that we pursue to eradicate with reference to relevant reviews, and the actual damage of measles outbreaks during the post-elimination era, through an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Finally, we present the contribution of vaccines in the fight against cancer. The third chapter, “THE ANTIVACCINATION MOVEMENT”, includes an analysis of the factors that determine vaccine hesitancy and the parents’ attitude towards vaccination, the history of the antivaccination movement and its recent form, the methods that it uses and finally some answers against its arguments. In the chapter “BIOETHICS” we discuss the ethical issues concerning vaccination and consequences in its absence. Finally, in the chapter “MEASURES AND CONCLUSIONS”, we briefly list measures proposed by experts for the improvement of vaccine coverage. Education of the general population on the safety and efficacy of vaccines is of outmost importance.
The sixth chapter includes the teaching approach on the topic of vaccination with the analysis of the aim, the method and the tools which are used and finally the lesson plan.
Keywords:
vaccines, immunity, vaccine preventable diseases, antivaccination movement, teaching approach