Vaccines

what disease has been eradicated by vax

smallpox

Vaccination helps protect vulnerable people

· An example of this is the success of vaccination against chickenpox over the last 25 years, resulting in U.S. deaths being practically eliminated.[1] o Chickenpox vaccination prevents more than 3.8 million cases, 10,500 hospitalizations and 100 deaths in the U.S. annually o According to the study, chickenpox cases declined overall by more than 97% and fell in all age groups — including infants, who are too young to receive the vaccine, and adults. o Chickenpox may be life-threatening to susceptible adults and people with weak immune systems.[2] [1] https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20221020/varicella-deaths-in-us-have-practically-been-eliminated-by-vaccination?utm_source=selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news&M_BT=5571190429424 [2] Johns Hopkins Medicine. Health, Conditions and Diseases, Chickenpox. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chickenpox

U.S. children born between 1994 and 2018 who are vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule will prevent

419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and help avoid 936,000 deaths cdc study

Use of cell cultures in vaccines [1],[2] [1] History of Vaccines. Human Cell Strains in Vaccine Development. How Cell Cultures Work. https://historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/how-are-vaccines-made/human-cell-strains-vaccine-development [2] Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center. Q&A Vol 1, Summer 2022 DNA, Fetal Cells & Vaccines: What You Should Know.

A cell culture involves growing cells in specialized containers in a sterile, temperature-controlled environment in a laboratory · A primary cell culture comes from cells taken from living tissue and may contain multiple types of cells · A cell strain is a cell culture that contains only one type of cell · One way viruses are adapted for use in vaccines is to alter them so that they are no longer able to grow well in the human body o This may be done, for example, by repeatedly growing the virus in a human cell strain kept at a lower temperature than normal body temperature. o In order to keep replicating, the virus adapts to become better at growing at the lower temperature, thus losing its original ability to grow well and cause disease at normal body temperatures. o Later, when it's used in a vaccine and injected into a living human body at normal temperature, it still provokes an immune response but can't replicate enough to cause illness.

Vaccine Safety Monitoring

After a vaccine is licensed, its safety continues to be monitored · The CDC, FDA and numerous US university medical centers and health organizations have multiple systems and approaches to watch for adverse events (or side effects) and assure that possible risks associated with use of the vaccine by the public are identified. o Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) - Analyzes reports of adverse events that happen after vaccination. Anyone can submit a report to VAERS, and submissions do not mean that a vaccine definitely caused the event. o Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) - Analyzes healthcare information from more than 24 million people in group form (protects an individual's confidentiality) o Post-Licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring (PRISM) - Analyzes healthcare information from more than 190 million people in group form (protects an individual's confidentiality) o Clinical Immunization Safety Assess (CISA) Project - CDC collaborates with 7 medical research centers that provide expert technical advice and research focused on vaccine safety and decreasing side effects o Emergency Preparedness for Vaccine Safety - Activated by CDC in event of disease outbreak in which mass vaccination programs are needed · Independent researchers also study and publish results on vaccine safety.[1] [1] H Cody Meissner, Stanley A Plotkin, The Facts About Vaccine Safety, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 72, Issue 2, 15 January 2021, Pages 309-310, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa697

Recommendations for Use of Vaccines

The process of developing recommendations for use of a vaccine begins only after the FDA licenses a vaccine. Healthcare professionals seek guidance on vaccine use from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises: · the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), · and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)[1] ACIP recommendations also establish a basis for access to recommended vaccines.[2] · Health insurers rely upon ACIP recommendations to establish coverage for persons to whom the recommendations apply. [1] Making Vaccines: Licensure, Recommendations and Requirements. https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/licensure-recommendations-and-requirements [2] Principles of Vaccine Licensure, Approval, and Recommendations for Use Larry K. Pickering, MD; H. Cody Meissner, MD; Walter A. Orenstein, MD; and Amanda C. Cohn, MD. https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(19)30987-5/pdf.

Vaccines are a landmark achievement

Vaccination is often cited among the 10 great public health achievements of the past century.[1] Only access to safe and clean water has had a larger effect on human health by preventing disease and extending lifespans.[2] [1] MMWR, April 2, 1999/Vol. 48/No. 12 Ten Great Public Health Achievements—United States, 1900-1999. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm [2] Vaccines, Plotkin and Mortimer, 1988.

vax licensing

Vaccine Licensing To be licensed, a vaccine must show that it is safe, pure, effective, and manufactured in a consistent manner.[1] · A vaccine manufacturer submits a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA branch that evaluates vaccines, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) · A BLA is a comprehensive submission that includes: o Results of pivotal clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, a full risk-benefit analysis and proposed product labeling o Manufacturing protocols for the production plant to demonstrate the vaccine will be produced in a safe and consistent manner · The licensing process includes approval of the prescribing information (or the package insert) which fully describes for healthcare providers and the public how it should be used (e.g., dosing, how to administer, populations in which the vaccine has been reported to be safe and effective, safety information, and more). · The licensing process also includes inspection of vaccine manufacturing facilities and protocols for ongoing testing of the vaccine that will be produced and distributed after approval FDA licenses the vaccine only if it is safe and effective and its benefits outweigh any risks.[2] · In some cases, FDA seeks advice from an external advisory committee to assist in assessing benefits and risks o The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) is a panel of outside, independent, technical experts from various scientific and public health disciplines that provide input on scientific data and its public health significance in a public forum. Its input is considered by FDA, but is not binding when determining whether to approve a vaccine[3] · Factors considered when authorizing a vaccine include: o the prevalence and severity of the disease being prevented, o the frequency and severity of an adverse reaction after immunization, o and the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing the disease in the target population.[4] [1] Larry K. Pickering, H. Cody Meissner, Walter A. Orenstein, Amanda C. Cohn, Principles of Vaccine Licensure, Approval, and Recommendations for Use, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 95, Issue 3, 2020, Pages 600-608, ISSN 0025 6196, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.11.002. [2] Journey of Your Child's Vaccine. Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/infographics/journey-of-child-vaccine-h.pdf [3] CBER. Vaccine Development 101. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/development-approval-process-cber/vaccine-development-101 [4] Understanding Vaccine Safety and the Roles of the FDA and the CDC, H. Cody Meissner, M.D. N Engl J Med 2022;386:1638-45. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2200583

Making a Vaccine[1] [1] Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center, Making Vaccines: How Vaccines are Made (Infographic). https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/how-are-vaccines-made

Vaccines against various viruses and bacteria are designed and manufactured in different ways. The approaches for different types of vaccines include: · Weakening the virus - wild viruses or bacteria are attenuated (weakened) in a laboratory, usually by repeated culturing[1] o When the resulting vaccine virus is given to a human, it will not replicate enough to cause illness, but will still provoke an immune response that can protect against future infection.[2] The method is one of the earliest and most effective ways of eliciting a protective immune response. · Completely inactivating (killing) the virus with a chemical · Using part of the virus or bacteria (the pathogen) as the vaccine · Inactivating (killing) a harmful protein made by bacteria (a toxin) with a chemical; the inactivated toxin is called a toxoid · Using part of the genetic material for a specific protein that directs the body to produce a small amount of that protein; the body's immune system reacts defensively once it detects this protein [3] o Examples of this type of vaccine include:[4] - Vector virus: the gene from the pathogen is put into a virus that can't reproduce itself but can still enter cells and deliver the gene - mRNA: the blueprint for a protein from the pathogen is used as the vaccine - DNA: the genetic code from which mRNA is made is used as the vaccine [1] Principles of Vaccination, A. Patricia Wodi, MD and Valerie Morelli, BA https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/prinvac.pdf [2] History of Vaccines. Different Types of Vaccines. https://historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/what-do-vaccines-do/different-types-vaccines [3] CBER. Vaccine Development 101. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/development-approval-process-cber/vaccine-development-101 [4] Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center, Making Vaccines: How Vaccines are Made (Infographic). https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/how-are-vaccines-made

· For the U.S. population in 2019 (328 million people), universally recommended childhood vaccines:[1] prevented illness and disease

o more than 24 million illnesses spanning all ages o Dramatically reduced disease: 100% or nearly 100% for diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, polio and rubella 98% for tetanus and chickenpox 87% for hepatitis A 86% for hepatitis B 75% for pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM or a middle ear infection) 60% for invasive pneumococcal disease (when bacteria invades the bloodstream, spinal cord and brain tissue causing bacteremia and meningitis) 17% for influenza in children under 11 years

how many yrs does it take to manufacture a typical vax

usually requires 10 to 15 years of research before the vaccine is made available to the general public.[1] [1] New York State, Department of Health. The Science Behind Vaccine Research and Testing. https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/vaccine_safety/science.htm

what common diseases are diminished bc of vax

· - like polio, tetanus, hepatitis (types B and A), rubella (causes congenital rubella syndrome), Haemophilus influenzae type B (aka Hib), whooping cough (pertussis), measles, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, mumps, chickenpox, diphtheria and influenza -are significantly diminished.[1] [1] Diseases You Almost Forgot About (Thanks to Vaccines). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/forgot-14-diseases.html

For the U.S. population in 2019 (328 million people), universally recommended childhood vaccines:[1] prevented antibiotic resistance

· Antibiotic resistance, a persistent and challenging problem for healthcare providers and hospitals in the community, may be reduced because of vaccines.[1] o Vaccines reduce organisms and strains carrying resistant genes specifically targeted by the vaccine. o Vaccines have a secondary effect by reducing febrile illnesses (those with fevers) that often lead to the use of antibiotics. [1] Klugman and Black, PNAS. Impact of existing vaccines in reducing antibiotic resistance: Primary and secondary effects. December 17, 2018 115 (51) 12896-12901 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1721095115

fast facts vaccines

· Are given to healthy individuals to help prevent disease · Contribute to the health and well-being of society as a whole · Must meet high safety standards to be approved by regulatory agencies · Are very complex substances often made from living material like viruses and bacteria that require specific manufacturing processes · Require ongoing specialized testing to help assure quality and safety of all vaccines manufactured and distributed

Vaccines made using human cell cultures cannot change a vaccine recipient's DNA[1] [1] Ibid.

· Because DNA is not stable when exposed to certain chemicals, much of it is destroyed in the process of making the vaccine o Therefore, the amount of human DNA in the final vaccine preparation is minimal (trillionths of a gram) and highly fragmented o "Even small fragments of DNA that might remain would not be recognizable or have any ability to cause issues when injected with a vaccine."

what are the vax development stages

· Exploratory stage o Early research and development that establishes feasibility for a vaccine based on how the infectious organism causes disease; involves laboratory research to test the idea for a vaccine candidate; sometimes this testing occurs in animals[1] · Pre-clinical stage o Before a vaccine can be tested in people, a company or researcher performs additional laboratory research and testing in animals to obtain information about how the vaccine works and whether it's likely to be safe and work well in humans.[2] · Clinical development (or clinical trials) · Regulatory review and approval* · Manufacturing · Quality control * Following regulatory review and approval, a newly licensed vaccine is evaluated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). See section on Recommendations for Use of Vaccines. [1] CBER. Vaccine Development 101. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/development-approval-process-cber/vaccine-development-101 [2] Ibid.

The following vaccines were developed using one of the two human cell strains (either the WI-38 or the MRC-5):[1] [1] History of Vaccines. Human Cell Strains in Vaccine Development. How Cell Cultures Work. https://historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/how-are-vaccines-made/human-cell-strains-vaccine-development

· Hepatitis A vaccines [tradenames: VAQTA, Havrix, and part of Twinrix] · Rubella (also known as German measles) vaccine [tradenames: MERUVAX II, part of MMR II, and ProQuad] · Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine [tradenames: Varivax, and part of ProQuad] · Zoster (shingles) vaccine [tradename: Zostavax] · One of the COVID-19 vaccines (viral vector vaccine) · Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 oral vaccine* · Rabies vaccine [tradename: IMOVAX]* * Vaccine not routinely given

Two main human cell strains have been used to develop some currently available vaccines

· In each case, fetal cells were obtained in the 1960s · Two fetuses obtained from abortions that occurred by maternal choice - one in England, one in Sweden - are the source of the human cell lines used in vaccine development · Neither abortion was performed for the purpose of vaccine development · The "WI-38" cell strain was developed in 1962 in the United States · The "MRC-5" cell strain was developed in 1970 at the Medical Research Center in the United Kingdom

Vaccines do not contain aborted fetal tissue[1] [1] Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center. Q&A Vol 1, Summer 2022 DNA, Fetal Cells & Vaccines: What You Should Know

· Laboratory-grown cells from cell cultures are used in the manufacturing process, not human tissue. o The cells grown in the lab need to be made into single cell suspensions, meaning they can no longer be grouped together in the form of tissues or organs and, thus, do not contain fetal tissue. · Some ingredients that are needed to produce the vaccine are no longer needed for the vaccine to work in a person. o The vaccine material is carefully separated from the cells in which it was grown in a step during the manufacturing process called purification. § This step is to purify the vaccine viruses away from the cells and substances used to help cells grow § The most important reason for purification is that "a pure product will not introduce unnecessary components that could trigger immune responses or affect us in other ways." o These ingredients are taken out after production so only trace amounts are left in the final product. The very small amounts of these ingredients that remain in the final product aren't harmful. o Cell culture (growth) material to help grow the vaccine antigens is one of the things removed from the final vaccine preparation

Outbreaks of vaccine preventable disease continue to occur in many U.S. states

· Measles. The U.S. is at increased risk of measles introduction and local outbreaks due to decreasing vaccination rates, combined with an increase in measles outbreaks abroad and high volumes of international travel o 1,282 measles cases were reported in the U.S. in 2019 across 31 states and 94 counties, the most since 1992.[1] o Before the development of the measles vaccine (1963), an estimated 3 to 4 million cases occurred annually, resulting in:[2] § 48,000 hospitalizations § 1,000 cases with encephalitis (brain swelling) § 400 to 500 deaths · The last measles death in the U.S. was recorded in 2015[3] § Rates of severity and complications in the U.S.* - Hospitalization: 1 out of 4 cases - Encephalitis: 1 per 1,000 cases - Deaths: 1-2 per 1,000 cases *complications are common in children <5 years old and adults >20 years old [1] Persistence of US measles risk due to vaccine hesitancy and outbreaks abroad. Published: July 30, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30522-3 [2] CDC. Measles Data and Statistics. Updated April 16, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/downloads/measlesdataandstatsslideset.pdf [3] Ibid. · Mumps. Cases began increasing in 2015 through 2019 when the U.S. saw a range of different mumps outbreak settings and sizes. In 2019, CDC reported that there were 3,486 people infected with mumps in 48 states and DC.[1] · Many of the cases involved young adults and adults occurring in close-knit communities in New York City and Arkansas, on different college campuses across the country, and within the National Hockey League (NHL). Cases also occurred in households, schools, athletics facilities, church groups, workplaces, and large parties and events. § The largest outbreak occurred in a close-knit community in northwest Arkansas that resulted in nearly 3,000 cases. § Two large outbreaks in Iowa and Illinois each involved several hundred university students. · While most people recover completely in about two weeks, mumps can be serious § Some may feel extremely ill and be unable to eat because of jaw pain, and a few will develop serious complications. § Men and adolescent boys can develop pain or swelling in their testicles. Women and adolescent girls can develop pain or swelling in their ovaries. § Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and loss of hearing can also occur, and in rare cases, this hearing loss can be permanent. [1] CDC. Mumps Cases and Outbreaks. https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/outbreaks.html

3 phases of clinical trials

· Phase 1: A small study (often fewer than 100 people) to determine if the vaccine is safe and to learn about what type of response the vaccine produces · Phase 2: Larger studies (hundreds of participants) to collect more extensive information on safety, efficacy (or the immune response produced), and when (the immunization schedule) and how much (dose size) vaccine is needed · Phase 3: Very large studies (thousands of volunteers) that compare a group receiving the vaccine to a similar group who received a comparator product (placebo) and further measures the safety (because rare side effects may not show up in small groups) and the efficacy of the vaccine Many vaccines also undergo long-term studies (Phase 4) after the vaccine is licensed for ongoing monitoring of safety and long-term effectiveness.

Treating vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks is costly for local, state, and national authorities, and healthcare budgets

· Public health staff and financial resources have to be deployed to control and contain outbreaks o Flu, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and whooping cough cost $27 billion to treat annually in adults over age 50[1] o A single measles outbreak in Minnesota cost Hennepin County and State Department of Health cost $1.3 million to contain[2] o A whooping cough outbreak in a single school cost $52,000[3] o An average flu season costs $87 billion[4] · Costs incurred by private insurers and indirect costs to individuals and families who lose time at work or school are also important considerations [1] Vaccinate Your Family. The cost of vaccine-preventable disease. https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/why-vaccinate/vaccine-benefits/costs-of-disease-outbreaks/ [2] Summit Medical Group (2014). Infections: Incubation and contagious periods. Accessed 29 January 2018. http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/pediatric_health/hhg_incubation/. [3] CDC. "Local Health Department Costs Associated with Response to a School-Based Pertussis Outbreak - Omaha, Nebraska, September-November 2008." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). January 14, 2011 / 60(01);5-9. [4] Minnesota Department of Health. "Health officials declare end of measles outbreak." 25 August 2017. Accessed 8 December 2017. http://www.helath.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2017/measles082517.html.

Religious communities and organizations have generally supported vaccination including those using human cell lines[1] [1] Immunize.org. Talking about Vaccines, Religious Concerns. https://www.immunize.org/talking-about-vaccines/religious-concerns.asp

· Religious texts and many religious leaders support prevention and, therefore, vaccination. For example: o In July 2017, Pontifical Academy for Life - National Office for Health Pastoral Care (CEI) - Association of Italian Catholic Doctors stated "we believe that all clinically recommended vaccinations can be used with a clear conscience and that the use of such vaccines does not signify some sort of cooperation with voluntary abortion. While the commitment to ensuring that every vaccine has no connection in its preparation to any material of originating from an abortion, the moral responsibility to vaccinate is reiterated in order to avoid serious health risks for children and the general population."[1] o In November 2018, leaders of the Orthodox Jewish community issued a statement: "The Orthodox Union (OU) and the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) strongly urge all parents to vaccinate their healthy children on the timetable recommended by their pediatrician."[2] o Statements and quotes promoting COVID-19 vaccination by religious leaders from many faiths, including Judaism, Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity, Islam, Evangelical Christianity, Hindu, Orthodox Christianity and Mormonism) have been documented[3] o The Vatican has issued a statement saying it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process [1] Clarifications on the Medical and Scientific Nature of Vaccination (Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life in collaboration with Ufficio per la Pastoraledella Salute of Italian Bishops' Conference and the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors) [2] Statement on Vaccinations from the OU and Rabbinical Council of America, November 14, 2018. https://www.ou.org/news/statement-vaccinations-ou-rabbinical-council-america/ [3] Helping patients with ethical concerns about COVID-19 vaccines in light of fetal cell lines used in some COVID-19 vaccines: Vaccine, July 2021

Vaccine benefits of vax deveoped used himan cell strains

· Researchers have estimated that "vaccines made with human cell cultures have prevented nearly 11 million deaths and prevented (or treated, in the example of rabies) 4.5 billion cases of disease"[1] [1] History of Vaccines. Current Vaccines Developed Using Human Cell Strains

No additional or "new" fetal tissue or cells are needed to produce the life-saving vaccines

· The fetal cells originally obtained were made to multiply over and over and then stored in freezers · These same fetal cells obtained from the early 1960s and '70s have continued to grow in the laboratory and are used to make vaccines today. No further sources of fetal cells are needed to make these vaccines. · Once cells are prepared from their original source, they can be maintained indefinitely in the laboratory. The process of maintaining these cells is commonly referred to as "cell culture" or "cell passage."

For the U.S. population in 2019 (328 million people), universally recommended childhood vaccines:[1] prevented cervical

· The percentage of cervical lesions due to types that are prevented by the HPV vaccine has dropped by 40% in vaccinated women since the vaccine was introduced[1] o High-grade cervical lesions are precancers that could progress to invasive cervical cancer if left untreated o An analysis of population-based surveillance data indicated cervical precancer rates among screened females were 50% lower in 18- to 20-year-olds and 36% lower in 21 to 24-year-olds (2008-09 v. 2014-15) and is consistent with HPV vaccine's expected impact in young women. [1] Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Impact Monitoring Project. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/surveillance/hpvimpact/index.html

Additional Information on Use of Fetal/Human Cell Strains in Other Drugs and Medical Research[1] [1] https://www.health.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/COVID%20Vaccine%20Page/COVID-19_Vaccine_Fetal_Cell_Handout.pdf

· The use of fetal cell lines is not limited to certain vaccines. Fetal cell lines are used to test and develop many common over-the-counter and prescribed medications, including antacids and cold medications: o Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen) o Prescription drugs like Lipitor, albuterol, Prilosec OTC, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin · Over many decades, medical researchers have used these cells to help develop treatments for a broad array of diseases including vision loss (macular degeneration), Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, juvenile diabetes, cancer and HIV among others.[1],[2] [1] PBS Newshour. Scientists say fetal tissue remains essential for vaccines and developing treatments. Aug 11, 2015. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/medical-researchers-say-fetal-tissue-remains-essential [2] National Geographic. Priyanka Runwal, published Nov 19, 2021. Here are the facts about fetal cell lines and COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/here-are-the-facts-about-fetal-cell-lines-and-covid-19-vaccines

Reasons that human cells are used in vaccine research and development

· To develop a vaccine that can be produced on a large scale, researchers have to grow viruses or bacteria in large quantities and with great consistency. · Bacteria can be grown in a laboratory successfully, but viruses need living cells to infect so they can make copies of themselves and tend to grow better in cells from humans than those of other animals · Fetal cells can be used longer than other cell types · Fetal cells can be maintained at low temperatures, allowing scientists to continue using the same cell lines from many decades ago · The most important benefit offered by using fetal cells was that they were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb. This meant the cells would not be infected with other viruses, and the vaccine produced in these cells would not inadvertently introduce any other viruses.[1] [1] Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center. Feature Article: Fetal Cells and Vaccines — Common Questions Answered. Published Jul 11, 2019. https://www.chop.edu/news/feature-article-fetal-cells-and-vaccines-common-questions-answered

Fetal cell DNA is not contained in final vaccine preparations (the vaccine in the vials or syringes given to vaccine recipients)[1]

· Vaccine viruses are purified during vaccine production and because DNA does not withstand these processes very well, any components of DNA that remain are highly fragmented and minimal. · When DNA from the production process has been measured in vaccines, it was only present in picogram quantities. o A picogram is one-trillionth of a gram (0.000000000001). o As such, this small amount of fragmented material is not able to cause damage or interact with our own DNA.

Vaccines save money

· Vaccine-preventable diseases can be very costly resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths · Vaccines save the U.S. billions of dollars o CDC estimates that vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2018 will saved $406 billion in direct costs and nearly $1.9 trillion in total society costs[1] · A recent economic model estimated vaccination costs for those born in 2017 ($8.5 billion) were fully offset by $63.6 billion in disease-related averted costs. Routine childhood immunization was associated with $55.1 billion and $13.7 billion in averted costs from a societal and healthcare payer perspective, respectively.[2] [1] CDC. Vaccines for Children. Protecting America's Children Every Day. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/protecting-children.html [2] Justin Carrico, Elizabeth M. La, Sandra E. Talbird, Ya-Ting Chen, Mawuli K. Nyaku, Cristina Carias, Claire E. Mellott, Gary S. Marshall, Craig S. Roberts; Value of the Immunization Program for Children in the 2017 US Birth Cohort. Pediatrics August 2022; 150 (3): e2021056007. 10.1542/peds.2021-056007