The History Of The Influenza Vaccine

The world is no stranger to disease, devastation and death. Plagues and pandemics occurred long before people were able to record them, and events such as the Bubonic Plague and the Spanish Flu epidemic have made history. However, the development of new research, medicines and technology has enabled the world to overcome these obstacles. In many cases, a vaccine or treatment has made all the difference in the outlook of the world. Such is the case with the influenza vaccine, which was created in recent history.

Finding Good In The Bad

The origins of the history of the influenza vaccine go way back, back to the Spanish Flu pandemic. At the time, doctors were desperate to try anything that would help their patients survive. One method they tried was performing blood transfusions from recovered flu victims to new flu victims. This was the only method that showed any successful.

The first approved vaccine for influenza in history was developed in the 1940s by the United States military. These were primarily used during World War II to vaccinate the soldiers. In the 1950’s, scientists developed the current method of producing the influenza vaccine. This method involves growing the virus in embroyenated hen’s eggs.

Improvements And Updates

In recent history, the influenza vaccine has been made safer and is now more efficiently administered. When it was first created during the Second World War, there was no way of mass-producing the vaccine. Now, the vaccine is widely available, though shortages are still experiences at times.

Today, scientists continue to perform research that will make the flu vaccine even more effective than in the past. Molecular technology might one day enable scientists to create the vaccines by genetically manipulating influenza genes. Recently, in response to the growing panic over the avian flu, the United Kingdom has released a vaccine aimed towards preventing this flu variation.

Despite advancement, challenges still remain. Currently, there are limitations on the number of flu vaccines that can be produced. The amount currently in stock is enough to combat a Western epidemic, but nowhere near enough to fight a worldwide pandemic.

A New Challenge

Though the influenza vaccine, as one of history’s major obstacles, has been overcome, others still remain. Diseases such as cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer’s are becoming more and more common, and there are no cures in sight. Regardless of the advancements that scientists make on the vaccination front, there will always be a new enemy to fight.