Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_1046

Course Objective

Explain fundamental concepts and principles of infectious diseases, such as disease transmission patterns, diagnostics, control strategies and the role of immunization and vaccinationUnderstand the history and future of the Dutch national vaccination programUnderstand vaccination policies for special groups such as of travellers, immigrants, refugees and medical risk groupsExplain the role of vaccines in national and international Public HealthExplain approaches and operations of outbreak management and preparedness and how vaccines can be used for outbreak controlExplain regulatory aspects in vaccine development, production and safety monitoringAnalyse the role of public opinions, campaigns and media as well as social norms and relations in the effectiveness of vaccination programsCompile, organise and prioritise information about a specific infectious disease and its corresponding vaccine and make it comprehensible to the general population in an educational video. (Group assignment)

Course Content

This course gives insight into the past, current and future preventive health care concerning control of infectious diseases with a focus on vaccination. It will be a mixture between biomedical sciences and health policy and management. The various guest lectures by experts from the field give a unique opportunity to learn more about this field. First, we will refresh your knowledge on infectious diseases and immunology as the basis for vaccinology. Diagnostics, essential for testing of vaccine efficacy and prevalence of diseases, are also discussed. We further focus on the research & development and manufacturing of vaccines, including quality control and quality assurance. The safety monitoring of vaccines will get special attention. We will address a number of infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines in national and international context. Hence the Dutch National Vaccination Program will be discussed in detail, as will the role of vaccines in International Public Health. We will analyze the Dutch vaccination program and the role of key actors such as the government, the Dutch Health Council and the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM). The future outline and challenges of the Dutch vaccination program are discussed in detail, including how public opinion affects vaccination policies. To put acquired knowledge into practice, all students will be involved in a group assignment, studying one particular vaccine against a specific infectious disease. The results of these group assignments are to be reported in a presentation. At the end of the course students will get the opportunity to visit the Vaccine Unit of the RIVM in Bilthoven, for discussion on specific subjects of interest with scientists involved with the implementation of the Dutch vaccination program.

Teaching Methods

Interactive lectures, group assignment & presentation, discussion, excursion, self-study The first lecture, all guest lectures, excursion and group assignment are compulsory. Contact hours: (interactive) lectures 24 hrs; presenting group work 4 hrs; excursion appr. 8 hrs; rest is self-study and preparation of the assignment.

Method of Assessment

Individual exam (80%) and group assignment presentation and report (20%). Both parts must be passed (6 or higher).

Literature

See Canvas during the course
- N. Garçon et al (Eds.), 2011. Understanding Modern Vaccines; Perspectives in Vaccinology. Elsevier.
- H. Houweling et al. 2010. Criteria for Inclusion of Vaccinations in Public Programmes. Vaccine 28: 2924-2931.
- Lecturers may make further readings available on Canvas.

Target Audience

Part of the minor Biomedical and Health Interventions. Optional course for a variety of minors, highly recommended for students that consider following the master Management Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship or the master specializations International Public Health or Infectious Diseases. This minor course requires a minimum of 25 participants to take place.

Custom Course Registration

Enrollment through Canvas.

Additional Information

Lecturers:Prof. Dr. Aura TimenDr. Dirk Essink

Recommended background knowledge

Basic knowledge about the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, including microbiology and immunology