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John Tregoning

This course describes the underpinning science around vaccines and their development. It will look at the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection. It will also look at the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out. Finally it will explore how new vaccines are developed.

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This course describes the underpinning science around vaccines and their development. It will look at the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection. It will also look at the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out. Finally it will explore how new vaccines are developed.

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

1. Understand how the immune response mediates vaccine protection

2. Explain how vaccines enter public health programs

3. Demonstrate your understanding of the challenges for the generation of a vaccine against disease

This is an intermediate series of courses intended for both clinical and non-clinical scientists who want to update their skills for work in clinical, academic, and pharmaceutical/bioscience industries, and is developed and delivered by experts working on viruses and novel vaccines.

To be successful in this series of courses, you should have basic knowledge in biology, genetics, microbiology or related fields.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Immunology
Basic overview of the immune system. This will cover: what is the immune system, what is immune memory, why that is important for vaccines, the key cells of adaptive immunity and then how these all contribute to vaccine induced protection.
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Epidemiology of vaccines
This module will cover vaccines at a population level introducing some epidemiological principles. We will explore how infections spread (and how we model that). We will introduce the role of herd immunity. We will discuss what pathogen eradication means and what types of disease are eradicable and which ones are not?
Bench to bedside
Novel vaccines are no use if they are stuck on the shelves of research labs, they need to be deployed to prevent infections. Here, we will explore the process of clinical trials which test vaccines for safety and efficacy (whether they work), we will look at ways to measure vaccine success. Then move onto how vaccines are made and how they are deployed.
New vaccine introduction and its challenges
As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for new vaccines. But it isn’t just for novel emerging diseases. There are a whole host of endemic infections that would benefit from new vaccines. With changing population dynamics and climate change, different disease profiles would benefit from vaccines. Here, we will explore why we might need new vaccines. We will look what an ideal vaccine might look like, and the scientific challenges in developing one. We will then look at the real-world challenges that prevent uptake and deployment of such a vaccine, both logistic and societal.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches foundational knowledge around vaccines, their development, and deployment, which is useful for clinical and non-clinical scientists
Designed for intermediate learners, it provides an accessible path to understanding vaccines and their role in public health
Covers a range of topics, from the immunological basis of vaccine-induced protection to the epidemiological principles of vaccine deployment
Led by instructors with expertise in viruses and novel vaccines, ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the course content
Relies on basic knowledge in biology, genetics, microbiology, or related fields, making it suitable for a diverse audience of learners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How Vaccines Work with these activities:
Re-familiarize yourself with basic biology
Review basic biological principles to strengthen your foundation for understanding immunology, epidemiology, and vaccine development.
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Show steps
  • Go through your old high school biology notes
  • Take a biology refresher course online
Compile a collection of resources on vaccines
Organize and gather valuable materials to support your learning journey, creating a comprehensive reference for future use.
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  • Gather articles, videos, and other materials related to vaccines
  • Categorize and organize the resources for easy retrieval
Summarize key concepts in vaccines
Enhance your comprehension and retention by summarizing and explaining key concepts in the course.
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  • Write short summaries of each module's key points
  • Create a visual representation of the immune response
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Analyze vaccine case studies
Deepen your understanding of vaccine implementation and effectiveness by examining real-world examples.
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  • Read and analyze research papers on vaccine case studies
  • Discuss case studies in online forums or with classmates
Form a study group for vaccines
Collaborate with peers to deepen your understanding and prepare for coursework through discussions and knowledge exchange.
Browse courses on Vaccines
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  • Find classmates with similar interests or schedules
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials and concepts
  • Quiz each other and provide feedback
Volunteer at a vaccination clinic or outreach program
Gain practical experience and contribute to public health by volunteering in a vaccination setting.
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  • Contact local vaccination clinics or outreach programs
  • Offer your assistance with tasks such as registration or vaccine administration
Explore additional resources on vaccine development
Expand your knowledge and learn from experts in the field by exploring supplementary tutorials and resources.
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  • Identify reputable websites and online courses
  • Follow tutorials on specific aspects of vaccine development
Design a hypothetical vaccine for a specific disease
Apply your knowledge and creativity to a real-world scenario by designing a vaccine and outlining its development and implementation.
Browse courses on Vaccines
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  • Research the disease's characteristics, epidemiology, and target population
  • Identify potential vaccine candidates and evaluate their suitability
  • Design a clinical trial plan to test the vaccine's safety and efficacy
Develop a proposal for a vaccine research project
Embark on a project that challenges your understanding and encourages you to apply your knowledge in a research setting.
Browse courses on Vaccines
Show steps
  • Identify a research question related to vaccines
  • Develop a research design and methodology
  • Prepare a grant proposal outlining your research plan

Career center

Learners who complete How Vaccines Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Virologist
A Virologist studies viruses and their impact on humans, animals, and plants. They may also develop vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent and treat viral infections. This course would be particularly relevant to Virologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection. It also covers the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Immunologist
An Immunologist studies the immune system and its role in health and disease. They may also develop new vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent and treat diseases. This course would be particularly relevant to Immunologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immune response and how vaccines mediate vaccine protection.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist studies the distribution and patterns of health events and diseases in populations. They may also develop and implement public health programs to prevent and control diseases. This course would be particularly relevant to Epidemiologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Vaccine Scientist
A Vaccine Scientist develops and tests vaccines to prevent and treat diseases. They may also work on the production and distribution of vaccines. This course would be particularly relevant to Vaccine Scientists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection, the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out, and how new vaccines are developed.
Public Health Physician
A Public Health Physician works to prevent and control diseases and promote health in communities. They may also develop and implement public health policies and programs. This course would be particularly relevant to Public Health Physicians because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection, the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out, and how new vaccines are developed.
Medical Scientist
A Medical Scientist conducts research to understand the causes and treatments of diseases. They may also develop new drugs and treatments. This course would be particularly relevant to Medical Scientists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Biomedical Engineer
A Biomedical Engineer designs and develops medical devices and technologies. They may also work on the production and distribution of medical devices. This course may be useful to Biomedical Engineers because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist dispenses medications and provides advice on their use. They may also work in research and development of new drugs and treatments. This course may be useful to Pharmacists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Science Writer
A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to the public. They may write for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course may be useful to Science Writers because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection, the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out, and how new vaccines are developed.
Health Educator
A Health Educator develops and implements educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They may also work in schools, community centers, or other settings. This course may be useful to Health Educators because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out.
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst conducts research and analysis to inform public policy. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or other organizations. This course may be useful to Policy Analysts because it provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological basis of how vaccines are rolled out and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Clinical Research Coordinator
A Clinical Research Coordinator manages clinical trials and studies. They may also work on the development and implementation of new drugs and treatments. This course may be useful to Clinical Research Coordinators because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Quality Assurance Manager
A Quality Assurance Manager ensures that products and services meet quality standards. They may work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and healthcare. This course may be useful to Quality Assurance Managers because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
A Regulatory Affairs Specialist ensures that products and services comply with government regulations. They may work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and healthcare. This course may be useful to Regulatory Affairs Specialists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.
Patent Attorney
A Patent Attorney helps clients obtain and protect patents for their inventions. They may also work on patent litigation and other intellectual property matters. This course may be useful to Patent Attorneys because it provides a comprehensive overview of the immunological underpinnings of how vaccines induce protection and explores how new vaccines are developed.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How Vaccines Work.
The long awaited 7th Edition of this book provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of both individual vaccines and the current general principles of vaccination and vaccine immunology.
Compiles emerging diseases and provides up-to-date information on the most recent outbreaks of these diseases with guidance on the best way of managing and preventing them.
Provides an overview of the most recent developments in the field of emerging infectious diseases.
Covers basic concepts of epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.

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