Careers in Disease Prevention
Marijoyce I. Naguit, MPH, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley and her MPH in Epidemiology at Florida International University. She has over eight years of experience working in disease control and prevention, as well as research. Marijoyce currently works for the Communicable Disease Emergency Response Branch of the California Department of Public Health as an Ebola Returning Traveler Epidemiologist.
The field of public health emphasizes the health and wellness of various communities, both locally and internationally. This includes researching and understanding diseases and how they spread in order to prevent outbreaks and promote healthy living. As a result, vaccinations and immunizations often play a significant role in public health. The following guide takes a deeper look at vaccinations and immunizations and also includes information on how professionals in public health and other fields can leverage their expertise to help fight the spread of disease.
Understanding Vaccinations
| TYPE OF VACCINE | DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| Live, attenuated vaccines | This type is made from weakened versions of live viruses. They do not actually cause the disease, but because they are so close to the natural infection, these vaccines teach the body how to build resistance with one or two doses. | Influenza (nasal spray), measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, shingles, yellow fever |
| Inactivated vaccines | These vaccines are made when the live microbe is inactivated through radiation, heat and chemicals. These vaccines are safer than live vaccines because they cannot revert back and cause a disease. However, because these vaccines are not made from a live virus, it takes more doses for the body to build immunity. | Polio, hepatitis A, rabies |
| Toxoid vaccines | These vaccines are used to treat illnesses caused by a bacterial toxin. They are made from toxins that are inactivated with sterilized water and formaldehyde. Toxoid vaccines teach the body how to fight the natural equivalent of the toxin | Tetanus, diphtheria |
| Subunit/conjugate vaccines | Conjugate vaccines are made by different parts of bacteria, allowing the body to build a stronger resistance to the disease. These vaccines also have a carrier protein that protects the body from future infections. | Pneumococcus, meningococcus, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, influenza (injection) |
| DNA vaccines | These experimental vaccines are made from a microbe’s genetic material and cause a strong antibody response in patients. | Currently, there are no DNA vaccines available for humans; however, a vaccine for West Nile virus is in Phase 1 human clinical trial. |
| Recombinant vector vaccines | Like DNA vaccines, recombinant vector vaccines are in the experimental stage. These vaccines combine live viruses and microbial DNA to stimulate the body’s immune system. | Measles, HIV, rabies – these vaccines, however, are still in the experimental phase and have not yet been approved. |
Why Individuals and Families Get Vaccinated
Many parents believe that the decision to vaccinate their children is simply a family issue and that, just like any other aspect of parenting, it is a personal choice that people make. However, the law views vaccinations very differently.
For example, in response to a measles outbreak at the Disneyland Resort in 2015, the California legislature passed a measure that requires parents of children enrolled in day care centers and public and private schools around the state to vaccinate their children, regardless of their religious or personal beliefs about vaccines. As a result, parents are required to vaccinate their children against measles and whooping cough, among other diseases, unless they have a doctor’s note granting them permission not to.
Other states are also rethinking their vaccination laws. In Oregon, parents can no longer decline to vaccinate their children because of their religious beliefs, and Vermont has abolished the philosophical vaccine exemption. Alabama and Pennsylvania are considering legislation that will require doctors to provide vaccination education to pregnant women.
Six Reasons to Vaccinate
When it comes to public health, there are numerous benefits that vaccinations have on individuals and society as a whole. Below are some of those benefits:
Herd immunity
Herd immunity is the phenomenon where those who do not receive immunizations still receive health benefits thanks to those who do. If a significant part of a community receives a vaccination against a disease, those who have not received the vaccination—such as children too young to be vaccinated or those who have illnesses that preclude them from getting vaccinated safely—also benefit because the occurrences of the disease will decline.
Cancer prevention
When patients receive a vaccination for certain diseases, they will also be protected from cancers associated with them. For example, getting a vaccine for hepatitis B can protect people from developing liver cancer and the HPV vaccine reduces the risk of getting cervical cancer.
Extended life expectancy
Elderly people who receive influenza vaccinations reduce their mortality risk by 50 percent. Elderly patients are also 20 percent less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases when they receive flu vaccines.
Safer travel
In our global economy, people are travelling to foreign countries more than ever before. This makes vaccinations extremely important, as foreign travel can put people at risk for a number of different illnesses around the globe.
Economic benefits
A healthy population is a strong population, and countries where vaccinations are prevalent tend to have stronger economies.
Protection against potential bioterrorism
It is important for vaccinations to be available in the event of a bioterrorist attack. For example, governments have worked to ensure that adequate supplies of smallpox and anthrax vaccines are available in response to concerns about terrorists launching attacks with these illnesses.
Understanding Vaccination Concerns
Despite the abundance of information available about the consequences of not vaccinating children, there are still many people who are against vaccines for various reasons. Below are some of the common arguments.
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Vaccines are unnecessary because major illnesses no longer exist.
Although eradication of illnesses is the ultimate goal of medical professionals, the World Health Organization reports that the only disease that has been successfully eradicated is smallpox. In order for a disease to no longer exist, there must be population immunity around the world for long periods of time. As a result, although a disease may be uncommon, or even eliminated, in a specific community, there is still a chance of it being reintroduced.
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Vaccines cause autism.
This belief was introduced to the medical community in 1998 when a British journal, The Lancet, published a study that claimed there is a link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Subsequently, the publication retracted the article, and its author, Andrew Wakefield, was accused of falsifying data and barred from practicing medicine. Despite the problems with this study and the fact that other researchers have debunked its claims, this myth may persist in part because autism manifests around the same time that children are scheduled to get their first vaccinations.
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The diseases that vaccinations are designed to prevent aren’t really serious.
Many people who argue this point to the fact that they may have contracted a disease like chicken pox and it didn’t do any harm to them or that they never had any diseases at all. However, scientists point out that before vaccinations, many childhood illnesses had serious consequences. For example, whooping cough used to kill 7,000 children annually, while those who contracted chicken pox often suffered from related complications such as skin infections and pneumonia.
Similarly, there is a popular belief that influenza vaccines are unnecessary because if you catch the flu, it’s the equivalent of a bad cold. However, according to World Health Organization statistics, influenza kills around 300,000 to 500,000 people around the world annually.
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Vaccinations contain harmful mercury.
Vaccines have never contained methyl mercury, which is a toxic metal associated with brain damage. However, vaccinations made prior to 2001 contained the preservative thimerosal, which has the nontoxic compound ethyl mercury. Currently, the only vaccination that contains thimerosal is the flu vaccine. Although the preservative is not dangerous, people who are concerned about mercury can request thimerosal-free versions of the vaccine.
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Too many vaccinations overload a child’s immune system.
Although there are several vaccinations that young children will receive throughout early childhood, medical experts say that vaccine combinations are safe and will not compromise the immune system.
Risks of the Unvaccinated
While some may disagree with mandatory vaccination laws, there are medical reasons that vaccination advocates point to when arguing for their necessity. There are a number of risks associated with not vaccinating a child. For example, children who are not vaccinated are at risk of contracting a number of illnesses, and because their immune systems are more vulnerable without vaccines, if they contract diseases such as mumps, whooping cough or measles, they may face serious consequences.
Similarly, those who have not been vaccinated put other children in their community at risk. If unvaccinated children get an illness, children around them are at-risk—particularly those too young to get vaccines and those with immune systems that are too compromised to get vaccinated, such as cancer patients.
Also, when parents elect not to vaccinate their children, they are assuming certain responsibilities that come with their choice. Whenever a child that is not vaccinated visits a doctor or emergency room, or rides in an ambulance, parents must inform medical practitioners so the child can receive appropriate treatment. Furthermore, when unvaccinated children become ill, parents may be required to take them out of school and, sometimes in severe cases, have them quarantined from others—including members of their own family.
Infant to Elderly: Recommended Vaccination Timeline
Vaccinations are only effective when they are delivered to patients at the optimal time. The CDC has set forth the following vaccine guidelines (up-to-date as of 2015) for when infants, children, teens and adults should receive specific vaccines.
For the most up-to-date vaccine schedule recommendations, visit the CDC's official website.
Infant/Childhood
Pre-Teen & Teens
Adults
In most cases, adults are not required to receive vaccinations. However, there are some exceptions: Colleges students, healthcare workers, and people travelling outside of the United States may be expected to receive a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
While not required, the following vaccinations are suggested for adults who plan to get pregnant, as well as adults who work around newborns and young children, such as teachers and healthcare practitioners.
If you are this age, talk to your healthcare professional about these vaccines.
Vaccination Exemptions
In every state, children are required to receive vaccinations before they attend preschool or public and private schools. However, in some cases, parents may be granted an exemption from their state. The following explains the types of exemptions that may be available.
Medical: Medical exemptions are granted when a doctor certifies—based on guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control—that a vaccination will be detrimental to a child’s health. While these exemptions are available in all 50 states, in some areas public health officials may revoke vaccination exemptions if they feel there’s not sufficient evidence to prove the vaccinations will be harmful.
Religious: The First Amendment gives parents the right to be exempt from vaccinating their children if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs. The interpretation of this exemption varies from state to state, however. In some states, there is a loose interpretation that includes any sincerely held religious or spiritual belief. In other states, someone must be a member of a church that explicitly prohibits vaccinations. This exemption is not allowed in Mississippi, West Virginia, California or Oregon.
Philosophical: Some states allow parents to opt out of getting their children vaccinated because it goes against their philosophical beliefs. When seeking this exemption, parents must decline all vaccines, not just specific ones. Children who are at least 12 years old can object to vaccinations under this exemption.
While most states do not allow this exemption, the following do: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
What You Need to Know When Travelling
There has been a significant increase of international travel in recent years, and whether it is done for business or pleasure, contracting an illness can really put a damper on one’s trip. In order to avoid getting ill in a foreign country and bringing a disease back to the United States, it is imperative to get vaccinations at least four to six weeks before international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control urges international travelers to get at least a measles, mumps and rubella vaccination before their trip. Although measles has been virtually eliminated in the United States, the majority of cases that do occur are the result of someone bringing the disease into the country. Travelers may be required to obtain additional vaccinations depending on what country they’re visiting and what they plan to do when they arrive.
Traveling abroad soon? The CDC provides current travel notices and vaccine recommendations for specific countries.
Beyond Public Health: Alternative Career Paths in Disease Prevention
Public health specialists play an important role in preventing diseases. However, there are many other options for those looking to go in a different direction with their education and career, including:
Doctor
Doctors of all specialties can administer disease-preventing vaccines to their patients. They provide information and advice about which vaccines their patients should get and when, and they keep track of past vaccinations and other relevant health conditions. Specialists, like pediatricians and OB-GYNs offer situation-specific vaccines and advice to their patients.Search medical degree programs and learn how to become a doctor.
Neonatal Nurse
Neonatal nurses specialize in the care of newborn infants. Part of this often includes administering vaccines to healthy infants, but neonatal nurses are also crucial to ensuring the health and safety of sick or premature infants. Knowing how and when to administer vaccines to infants in special circumstances prevents patients from getting harmful diseases.Explore neonatal nursing schools and careers.
Market Research Analyst
By analyzing data, market research analysts help nonprofits see if their campaigns to promote vaccines are successful and how they can be improved. With successful campaigns, more people may vaccinate, reducing preventable diseases.Discover other marketing career paths.
Marketing Manager
Not everyone learns about vaccines through regular doctor visits. A carefully crafted marketing campaign can teach the public about preventative vaccines and encourage people to get them. Marketing managers work with a team of experts to create informative campaigns that prompt people to talk to their doctors about specific vaccinations.Learn about salaries and job outlook for marketing professionals.
Pharmacist
Most states allow pharmacists to administer preventative vaccines to patients, which can encourage people to get vaccinated. Being able to get vaccines at a pharmacy rather than making an appointment at a doctor’s office makes vaccines more accessible. Pharmacists who don’t administer vaccines can help disease prevention by screening and educating patients.See how to become a pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technician
While pharmacy technicians generally don’t administer vaccines, they still play an important role in disease prevention through vaccination. By helping pharmacists with vaccine preparation and providing logistical and administrative support, pharmacy technicians ensure patients receive proper and efficient care. Creating positive experiences for patients encourages them to continue getting vaccinated.Continue researching pharmacy technician schools and careers.
Taking Action: Public Health Degrees, Specialties and Careers
There are a number of public health specialties and careers that students can enter if they are interested in vaccinations and immunization. These academic areas will give students experience researching, developing, and delivering vaccinations, as well as educating the public about their importance.
At the graduate level, students get specialized knowledge and training that can help them land a job and make a difference in their community or abroad. Public health master’s and doctoral degree programs give students a more advanced understanding of public health and also allow students to develop expertise in a specific area, such as vaccinations and immunization. The following are examples of public health specialties that are most relevant to the topic of vaccinations, as well examples of potential careers that students can pursue after earning their public health degree.
Taking Action:
Public Health Degrees, Specialties and Careers
There are a number of public health specialties and careers that students can enter if they are interested in vaccinations and immunization. These academic areas will give students experience researching, developing, and delivering vaccinations, as well as educating the public about their importance.
At the graduate level, students get specialized knowledge and training that can help them land a job and make a difference in their community or abroad. Public health master’s and doctoral degree programs give students a more advanced understanding of public health and also allow students to develop expertise in a specific area, such as vaccinations and immunization. The following are examples of public health specialties that are most relevant to the topic of vaccinations, as well examples of potential careers that students can pursue after earning their public health degree.
Infectious Disease Management
This PH concentration focuses on the local, regional, national and global implications of infectious diseases and the ways these conditions are treated and managed. Students also learn about infectious disease research and how to educate the public about diseases and prevention in their community. Those interested specifically in vaccinations can expect to take immunology courses that cover topics such as cell biology, parasites, and pathogens.
Communicable Disease Analyst
These professionals study the spread of disease in a local or global community, as well as in a workplace environment. This work provides a basis for response to a communicable disease, which can include the role that vaccines play in treating it and slowing down an outbreak.
Immunization Educator
Professionals in this line of work educate the public about the benefits of vaccinations on a local, national, and/or global scale. They may develop strategies for increasing the percentage of the population that receive vaccinations or research factors preventing immunization in an area.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists track the causes and patterns of infectious diseases to find ways to reduce the risk of infection in a community. This work involves identifying the role that vaccinations can play in preventing an infectious disease, as well as slowing down the spread of a disease.
Infectious or Communicable Diseases
Students enrolled in this concentration area focus on the role of infectious and/or communicable diseases in healthcare systems around the world and how immunizations have played a role in the response to these illnesses. This concentration includes courses in public health biology, genetics and immunology, emerging infectious diseases, and geographic information systems.
Infection Control Practitioner
Infection control practitioners help to identify, control and prevent infectious disease outbreaks in specific settings, such as hospitals, prisons and nursing homes. These professionals are also responsible for identifying and implementing immunization programs that can help prevent and control outbreaks.
Infectious Disease Specialist
Infectious disease specialists are responsible for researching the spread, treatment and containment of infectious diseases, and using the data to implement treatment plans. These professionals may recommend vaccination regimens in response to an infectious disease.
Communicable Disease Investigator
This person conducts investigative work on confirmed and suspected cases of communicable diseases and ensures patients receive treatment and follow-up, as well as proper information and resources.
Tropical Medicine
This concentration focuses on infectious diseases that are found in tropical settings around the world. Students receive a holistic look at the public health implications of these conditions, including their medical, biological, social and epidemiological components. They also receive information on how these diseases are diagnosed and treated, which includes the role of vaccinations in medical care.
Vaccine Researcher
Using clinical and investigative methods, vaccine researchers help develop new immunizations, perform trials and monitor long-term effects to understand effectiveness. Vaccines have been proven to reduce illnesses thanks to the work of vaccine researchers.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical makeup of living organisms. These professionals can use their research to develop vaccinations. Explore other careers in biology.
Nonclinical Vaccine Advisor
As vaccines are being developed, these professionals provide guidance on how nonclinical studies on the drugs should be conducted. In order to do this, they design experiments, review data and communicate research results to company stakeholders.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical makeup of living organisms. These professionals can use their research to develop vaccinations. Explore other careers in biology.
Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology
This concentration emphasizes the cellular and molecular biology of infectious diseases. Students also learn how the body responds to infection and immunization, the transmission and evolution of infectious disease, and how laboratory-based surveillance is conducted.
Immunization Microbiologist
By studying bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms, immunization microbiologists are able to understand how infectious diseases behave within the human body and respond to vaccinations. This career is heavily focused on research.Learn more about microbiologists and other biology careers.
Vaccine Researcher
Using clinical and investigative methods, vaccine researchers help develop new immunizations, perform trials and monitor long-term effects to understand effectiveness. Vaccines have been proven to reduce illnesses thanks to the work of vaccine researchers.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians design and collect data and analyze results of research studies related to medicine, biology and public health issues. This work can include looking at how the body responds to vaccinations as it fights a disease.
International Health
This area explores the complexities of public health on an international scale, particularly in developing countries. Topics that are covered include international healthcare systems, the role of economics and politics in the delivery of healthcare, and human rights issues. Students also learn about the global control of diseases, which includes tracking viruses and providing vaccinations for treatment.
Communicable Disease Analyst
These professionals study the spread of disease in a local or global community, as well as in a workplace environment. This work provides a basis for response to a communicable disease, which can include the role that vaccines play in treating it and slowing down an outbreak.
Community Health Worker
Sustainability analysts or consultants work for private companies and public entities in executing global sustainability strategies to balance societal and environmental concerns with the organization’s financial responsibilities. A sustainability analyst’s duties may include developing, auditing and complying with an organization’s environmental management system and collecting data related to sustainability measures. Research social work careers and degree programs.
Infection Control Practitioner
Infection control practitioners help to identify, control and prevent infectious disease outbreaks in specific settings, such as hospitals, prisons and nursing homes. These professionals are also responsible for identifying and implementing immunization programs that can help prevent and control outbreaks.
Immunology
Students in this concentration learn about the cell biology of parasites and other infections and the role immunology plays in developing treatments. Coursework also covers the control and prevention of infectious diseases and how vaccinations aid in these efforts.
Infectious Disease Specialist
Infectious disease specialists are responsible for researching the spread, treatment and containment of infectious diseases and using the data to implement treatment plans. These professionals may recommend vaccination regimens in response to an infectious disease.
Immunization Microbiologist
By studying bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms, immunization microbiologists are able to understand how infectious diseases behave within the human body and respond to vaccinations. This career is heavily focused on research.Learn more about microbiologists and other biology careers.
Immunologist
Immunologists study the human immune system as it relates to organisms. Their research is critical in understanding how external and internal factors relate to the body; findings also enable the development of immunizations to help protect the body.
Parasitology and Vector Biology
Coursework in this concentration focuses on parasites and the effects they have on the human body. Specifically, students learn about the relationship between parasites and infectious diseases, how parasites affect the immune system, the role of vectors in spreading infectious diseases, and ways parasitic infections can be controlled through immunizations.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists track the causes and patterns of infectious diseases in order to find ways to reduce the risk of infection in a community. This work involves identifying the role that vaccinations can play in preventing an infectious disease, as well as slowing down the spread of a disease.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical makeup of living organisms. These professionals can use their research to develop vaccinations.Explore other careers in biology.
Immunization Microbiologist
By studying bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms, immunization microbiologists are able to understand how infectious diseases behave within the human body and respond to vaccinations. This career is heavily focused on research.Learn more about microbiologists and other biology careers.
Immunologist
Immunologists study the human immune system as it relates to organisms. Their research is critical in understanding how external and internal factors relate to the body; findings also enable the development of immunizations to help protect the body.
Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Students in this concentration learn about the complex nature of microbial pathogens and their associated diseases, as well as how microbial pathogens are studied, diagnosed, tracked and controlled. Coursework covers the public health procedures related to microbial diseases and the biotechnologies, including immunizations used to treat these conditions.
Immunization Microbiologist
By studying bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms, immunization microbiologists are able to understand how infectious diseases behave within the human body and respond to vaccinations. This career is heavily focused on research.Learn more about microbiologists and other biology careers.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical makeup of living organisms. These professionals can use their research to develop vaccinations. Explore other careers in biology.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians design and collect data and analyze results of research studies related to medicine, biology and public health issues. This work can include looking at how the body responds to vaccinations as it fights a disease.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists track the causes and patterns of infectious diseases to find ways to reduce the risk of infection in a community. This work involves identifying the role that vaccinations can play in preventing an infectious disease, as well as slowing down the spread of a disease.
Epidemiology
The epidemiology concentration focuses on research methods related to the cause, spread, and prevention of various infectious diseases. Students learn how epidemiological data is used to craft a public health response to the disease, which includes education and vaccine treatments.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists track the causes and patterns of infectious diseases to find ways to reduce the risk of infection in a community. This work involves identifying the role that vaccinations can play in preventing an infectious disease, as well as slowing down the spread of a disease.
Communicable Disease Analyst
These professionals study the spread of disease in a local and/or global community, as well as in a workplace environment. This work provides a basis for response to a communicable disease, which can include the role that vaccines play in treating it and slowing down an outbreak.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians design and collect data and analyze results of research studies related to medicine, biology and public health issues. This work can include looking at how the body responds to vaccinations as it fights a disease.
Health Promotion
The health promotion concentration teaches students how public health outreach and education, which often includes knowledge on vaccinations and herd immunity, is conducted. Topics studied include the development of media campaigns, how community wellness programs are created, and disease management activities.
Community Health Worker
Community health workers act as community advocates by disseminating evidence-based health information in a way the public can understand. These education efforts can include promoting the importance of immunizations, as well as explaining how vaccinations can impact the treatment and prevention of specific diseases.Research social work careers and degree programs.
Immunization Educator
Professionals in this line of work educate the public about the benefits of vaccinations on a local, national or global scale. They may develop strategies for increasing the percentage of the population that receive vaccinations or research factors preventing immunization in an area.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
These professionals help to ensure that workplaces are safe by analyzing safety procedures in a work environment. Part of this work includes protecting employees from infectious diseases by monitoring a workplace for risk, educating staff about safety procedures, and recommending vaccinations.
Public Health in Clinical Systems
This program teaches students how to assess, design, and evaluate public health responses to disease—which may include the use of immunizations—within a clinical healthcare system. Topics covered include chronic illness management, how to conduct community health assessments, and healthcare policies.
Community Health Worker
Community health workers act as community advocates by disseminating evidence-based health information in a way the public can understand. These education efforts can include promoting the importance of immunizations, as well as explaining how vaccinations can impact the treatment and prevention of specific diseases.Research social work careers and degree programs.
Immunization Educator
Professionals in this line of work educate the public about the benefits of vaccinations on a local, national or global scale. They may develop strategies for increasing the percentage of the population that receive vaccinations or research factors preventing immunization in an area.
Communicable Disease Analyst
These professionals study the spread of disease in a local or global community, as well as in a workplace environment. This work provides a basis for response to a communicable disease, which can include the role that vaccines play in treating it and slowing down an outbreak.
Immunization Educator
Professionals in this line of work educate the public about the benefits of vaccinations on a local, national, and/or global scale. They may develop strategies for increasing the percentage of the population that receive vaccinations or research factors preventing immunization in an area.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists track the causes and patterns of infectious diseases to find ways to reduce the risk of infection in a community. This work involves identifying the role that vaccinations can play in preventing an infectious disease, as well as slowing down the spread of a disease.
Infection Control Practitioner
Infection control practitioners help to identify, control and prevent infectious disease outbreaks in specific settings, such as hospitals, prisons and nursing homes. These professionals are also responsible for identifying and implementing immunization programs that can help prevent and control outbreaks.
Infectious Disease Specialist
Infectious disease specialists are responsible for researching the spread, treatment and containment of infectious diseases, and using the data to implement treatment plans. These professionals may recommend vaccination regimens in response to an infectious disease.
Vaccine Researcher
Using clinical and investigative methods, vaccine researchers help develop new immunizations, perform trials and monitor long-term effects to understand effectiveness. Vaccines have been proven to reduce illnesses thanks to the work of vaccine researchers.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical makeup of living organisms. These professionals can use their research to develop vaccinations. Explore other careers in biology.
Nonclinical Vaccine Advisor
As vaccines are being developed, these professionals provide guidance on how nonclinical studies on the drugs should be conducted. In order to do this, they design experiments, review data and communicate research results to company stakeholders.
Immunization Microbiologist
By studying bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms, immunization microbiologists are able to understand how infectious diseases behave within the human body and respond to vaccinations. This career is heavily focused on research.Learn more about microbiologists and other biology careers.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians design and collect data and analyze results of research studies related to medicine, biology and public health issues. This work can include looking at how the body responds to vaccinations as it fights a disease.
Community Health Worker
Community health workers act as community advocates by disseminating evidence-based health information in a way the public can understand. These education efforts can include promoting the importance of immunizations, as well as explaining how vaccinations can impact the treatment and prevention of specific diseases.Research social work careers and degree programs.
Immunologist
Immunologists study the human immune system as it relates to organisms. Their research is critical in understanding how external and internal factors relate to the body; findings also enable the development of immunizations to help protect the body.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
These professionals help to ensure that workplaces are safe by analyzing safety procedures in a work environment. Part of this work includes protecting employees from infectious diseases by monitoring a workplace for risk, educating staff about safety procedures, and recommending vaccinations.
Communicable Disease Investigator
This person conducts investigative work on confirmed and suspected cases of communicable diseases and ensures patients receive treatment and follow-up, as well as proper information and resources.
After Graduation: Potential Employers
Students who are interested in using their public health education to contribute to getting vaccinations to patients have a number of career options. The following are examples of places where these graduates may consider finding work.
Private Sector Employers
- Bristol-Myers Squibb: In addition to developing medications, Bristol-Myers Squibb works to raise awareness about the prevention of diseases like hepatitis B and C.
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): GSK is a pharmaceutical company that manufactures a number of vaccines, including influenza, human papillomavirus bivalent, tetanus, hepatitis B, meningococcal, and rotavirus vaccines. The company distributed 800 million doses of vaccines around the world in 2014—the majority of which were disseminated in developing countries.
- Janssen: This pharmaceutical company has a public health division that is involved in the prevention of infectious diseases around the world. Janssen is currently working on conducting medical research, increasing access to vaccinations in emerging markets, and advising legislators on ways to improve public health policies.
- Merck: Merck develops pneumococcal, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella, and human papillomavirus vaccines. The company has a number of clinical trials in progress in order to develop new vaccines.
- Pfizer: Pfizer has been involved in the development of vaccinations since the early 1900s when it created the first heat-stable, freeze-dried smallpox vaccine. The company was also the first to develop a combined diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccination. In addition to research and development, Pfizer is also dedicated to providing vaccination doses to patients in developing countries.
Public Sector Employers
In addition to the employers listed below, state and local health departments also have several opportunities available for public health graduates interested in vaccinations and immunology.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC is a federal public health agency that works to educate the public about topics such as infectious diseases, injury prevention, environmental health and occupational safety. It disseminates a lot of information about vaccinations, in addition to offering immunization education and training to health professionals.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): The HHS is a cabinet-level federal agency that works to protect the good health of Americans by promoting advances in public health, social services and medicine. The agency houses the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO), which is involved in vaccination research, development and distribution. The agency also approves licenses to companies that manufacture vaccines.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA is a federal agency responsible for regulating a variety of drugs, including vaccines and prescription and over-the-counter medications. Vaccinations are specifically regulated by the agency’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
- U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp: This agency works to promote and protect public health in the country.
- World Health Organization (WHO): The World Health Organization is an international public health agency that is part of the United Nations. The organization is involved in research, disease monitoring, education and advocacy activities in the public health arena.
Nonprofit Employers
- The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO): ASTHO represents the interests of public health agencies around the country, as well as their employees. In order to do this, the organization provides advice about public health policies and tracks and evaluates these rules.
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID): The NFID works to educate the public about the causes, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The organization also hosts the Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, where healthcare workers, public health officials and researchers share information.
- National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC): This organization advocates vaccination safety, informed consent and the prevention of injuries caused by vaccinations.
- PATH: PATH is a global health organization that works to educate the public and legislators about vaccinations, as well as provide vaccines to children and mothers in developing countries.
- The Public Health Foundation (PHF): The PHF works to improve community health outcomes by providing resources and training materials used by health organizations and government agencies, as well as individuals.
Vaccination & Immunization Resources
General Information
- AITC Immunization and Travel Clinic: Created by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, this site includes information on travel vaccinations and vaccine safety as well as immunization news.
- Institute for Vaccine Safety: This website contains information on vaccinations for specific diseases.
- National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC): This site includes vaccination news and information on how vaccines are used.
- Vaccines.gov: Maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site has information on how vaccines are used to treat a number of different diseases. There is additional information on travel vaccinations, where to receive vaccinations and who needs vaccinations.
- Vaccinate Your Baby: This site includes a vaccination schedule tool, research about infant vaccinations and videos that answer specific questions parents may have.
Getting Involved
- National Vaccine Information Center: This organization has a number of volunteer areas, including administration, fundraising, communications and research.
- Project HOPE: This organization has clinical volunteer opportunities around the world.
- Shot@Life: Supporters can host fundraisers, write letters about the importance of vaccinations and speak at community events.
- Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) Program: This program, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control, has volunteer opportunities for those who want to administer polio vaccinations overseas.
- UNICEF USA: UNICEF has opportunities to organize or participate in fundraising events.
Trustworthy Sources for Donations
- End Polio Now: This organization uses donations to provide polio vaccinations and fund research.
- Malaria Vaccine Initiative: Donations are used to create malaria vaccinations.
- UNICEF USA: UNICEF’s immunization programs provide measles, tuberculosis and tetanus vaccinations to children.
- World Vision United States: Donated funds are used to respond to polio outbreaks in several countries.
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