). The BPS looks at how physical and mental health are influenced by interacting biological, psychological (thoughts, emotions, and behavior) and social (socio-economic and cultural) factors. The BPS model was proposed by Engel (1981) contrary to the dominant biomedical model (BM) that states that illness can be attributed to some deviation from the normal state due to an external agent like a virus or injury or due to genetic or developmental abnormality. The BM model cannot make provision for the person as a whole or from a psychological or social nature (Engel, 1977). The biological factors of etiology, incidence, transmission, and prevention by immunization and the need for vaccinating HCWs to prevent the spread of the virus and the causes for low rates of immunization are presented. The psychological analysis looks at motivation, risk perceptions and altruistic behaviors that affect immunization of HCWs. The methods used to encourage HCWs uptake of flu vaccines and the need for mandatory immunization policies are discussed. Finally, the social and ethical issues regarding mandatory immunization policies are put in perspective
A Novel Sheeppox virus vectored vaccine for Foot-and-Mouth-Disease was developed from scratch. The vaccine was tested in Sheep and found to elicit strong Antibody and Cell mediated Immune response when used in a prime boost regimen with Protein and DNA vaccines.
). The BPS looks at how physical and mental health are influenced by interacting biological, psychological (thoughts, emotions, and behavior) and social (socio-economic and cultural) factors. The BPS model was proposed by Engel (1981) contrary to the dominant biomedical model (BM) that states that illness can be attributed to some deviation from the normal state due to an external agent like a virus or injury or due to genetic or developmental abnormality. The BM model cannot make provision for the person as a whole or from a psychological or social nature (Engel, 1977). The biological factors of etiology, incidence, transmission, and prevention by immunization and the need for vaccinating HCWs to prevent the spread of the virus and the causes for low rates of immunization are presented. The psychological analysis looks at motivation, risk perceptions and altruistic behaviors that affect immunization of HCWs. The methods used to encourage HCWs uptake of flu vaccines and the need for mandatory immunization policies are discussed. Finally, the social and ethical issues regarding mandatory immunization policies are put in perspective
A Novel Sheeppox virus vectored vaccine for Foot-and-Mouth-Disease was developed from scratch. The vaccine was tested in Sheep and found to elicit strong Antibody and Cell mediated Immune response when used in a prime boost regimen with Protein and DNA vaccines.
Novel Triple Combo Adjuvants (Polyphospazenes, CpG-ODNs, Host Defense peptides) mechanism of Immune-stimulation by induction of Chemokines and Cytokines.
Use of Novel combination adjuvant platform technology for vaccines against Pertussis and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections. The potential of combination vaccines was further potentiated using Nanotechnology.
Adjuvanted influenza vaccines are cost-effective in the elderly aged 65+Srinivas Garlapati
The adjuvanted influenza vaccines are cost effective in the 65+ elderly populations in Canadian settings. The RCT used here in the analysis was done in the community settings as opposed to earlier trials done in frail institutionalized population. It should be remembered that the efficacy of vaccines is dependent on close match between the virus strains used in the vaccine and circulating virus strains. The RCT results also show the adjuvanted do not reduce the rate of infections in the elderly but reduce the costs associated with infections by reducing the number of flu related complications in the vaccinated individuals. This is due to immune-senescence and reduced levels of antibodies in the elderly but the protection against severity is elicited by such immune responses. Hence future RCTs need not look at antibody levels in the elderly but consider looking at other immune mechanisms. We can also conclude that developing efficacious and safe vaccines for the elderly with be more cost-effective. This is important with respect to changing demographics of the Canadian population and increased proportion of elderly and associated escalation of healthcare costs.
