Understanding Vaccines in the Human Ecosystem

Vaccines are intricately designed to function within the complex ecosystem of the human body, which is already home to countless microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria and viruses. To successfully combat specific pathogens, vaccines target them directly. Interestingly, the goal isn’t always to eradicate these pathogens completely but often involves rendering them harmless. This approach allows the pathogen to exist without causing illness, which is a critical strategy in vaccine development.

Dr. Falzarano, who has been pivotal in vaccine research since joining VIDO in 2014, holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba where he studied the Ebola virus. His groundbreaking work includes developing vaccines for Ebola and MERS-CoV, and recently, his team worked on a sub-unit COVID vaccine.

Exploring Vaccine Types: A Breakdown

Dr. Falzarano outlines several types of vaccines, each utilizing a unique mechanism to prep the immune system against diseases:

1. Inactivated Vaccines