Vaccination of COVID-19, Small Pox, and Polio
The difference between smallpox, polio, and COVID-19 is based on the transmission, development of vaccines, and ways of eradicating the diseases (Wilson et al., 2021). Smallpox infected humans through direct contact with respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated fomites; polio through ingestion of the fecal-oral route, whereas COVID-19 is mainly transmissible through respiratory droplets and aerosols. The analysis of smallpox and polio proves that with proper vaccination drives and surveillance, these diseases were brought under control and eradicated in the case of smallpox in the year 1980, and they were nearly eradicated while persisting in some pockets only. Eradication strategies included readouts, case finding, contact tracing, and mass immunization campaigns (Morens et al., 2022).
These strategies were backed up by stable viral genetics and lifelong immunity from vaccines. For COVID-19, similar principles were applied but met challenges due to the high mutation rate of the virus and low immune response. Best practices from smallpox and polio eradication campaigns, which can be re-applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, include international cooperation, long-term vaccination strategies, and strong health systems (Habibzadeh et al., 2022). However, SARS-CoV-2 is still mutating continuously, and as a result, the vaccines need constant updates and monitoring, unlike the relatively stable smallpox and the polioviruses (Martini et al., 2022).
The following are the benefits of addressing COVID-19 at the population level as opposed to an individual case (Risendal et al., 2021). Widespread strategies, including mass vaccination, community screening, and public health interventions, can offer better protection for community members and disrupt COVID-19 linkages. This has been marginally effective compared to broader public health practices, as witnessed in the eradication of smallpox and polio. Contemporary studies on COVID-19 also endorse this population-based approach in controlling the spread of the virus and preventing the healthcare system’s collapse.
References
Habibzadeh, F., Chumakov, K., Sajadi, M. M., Yadollahie, M., Stafford, K., Simi, A., Kottilil, S., Hafizi-Rastani, I., & Gallo, R. C. (2022). Use of oral polio vaccine and the incidence of COVID-19 in the world. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0265562. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265562
Martini, M., Bifulco, M., & Orsini, D. (2022). Smallpox vaccination and vaccine hesitancy in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1801) and the great modernity of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon: a glimpse of the past in the era of the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. Public Health, 213, 47–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.09.012
Morens, D. M., Folkers, G. K., & Fauci, A. S. (2022). The concept of classical herd immunity may not apply to COVID-19. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 226(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiac109
Risendal, B. C., Hébert, J. R., Morrato, E. H., Thomson, C. A., Escoffery, C. N., Friedman, D. B., Dwyer, A. J., Overholser, L. S., & Wheeler, S. B. (2021). Addressing COVID-19 using a public health approach: Perspectives from the cancer prevention and control research network. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 60(6), 877–882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.01.017
Wilson, N., Mansoor, O. D., Boyd, M. J., Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021). We should not dismiss the possibility of eradicating COVID-19: Comparisons with smallpox and polio. BMJ Global Health, 6(8), e006810. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006810
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Question 
Week 9: Discussion
«Back to Week at a Glance
ERADICATION OF SMALLPOX, POLIO, AND HOW THEY MAY HELP IN APPROACHING COVID–19
Some of the most notable epidemics include the bubonic plague in the 14th century, smallpox in the 18thcentury, influenza in the 20th century, and SARS–CoV–2 (COVID–19) in the 21st century. It is estimated that the bubonic plague caused 25 million deaths in Europe in the 14th century alone, and up to 200 million total deaths across centuries (Glatter & Flnkelman, 2021). The COVID–19 pandemic spread at an unprecedented pace due to globalization and the mobility of society, killing millions worldwide. These are dramatic examples of the kinds of acute outbreaks that make epidemiology such an important held of study
At the beginning of the 21st century, many epidemiologists and healthcare professionals were concerned about the next potential pandemic or epidemic—and then it arrived in early 2020. Globalization means that when these infectious outbreaks occur, they can spread quickly, but we also have more knowledge and better tools (e.g., vaccine technology) to fight them. For this Discussion, you will compare lessons learned from two successful eradication efforts, that of smallpox
and polio, and consider how they may be applied to COVID–19.
Reference
GJalter, K. A.. £ Fintelman, P. (20211 History of the plague: An ancient pandemic for the age of COVID–19. American Journal of Medicine. 134{2 ). 176–101.https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.amjed2020.08.019
RESOURCES
| Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. WEEKLY RESOURCES |
TO PREPARE:
- Review the Learning Resources, focusing on the smallpox and polio epidemics and how health organizations applied principles of epidemiology to eradicate {or in the case of polio, nearly eradicate) these diseases,
- In light of these examples, consider the benefits of addressing smallpox and polio at the population level. What were the population health strategies that were used in the efforts to eradicate smallpox and polio?
- Consider similarities and differences from an epidemiologic perspective among the smallpox and polio epidemics and that of COViD–19,
- Think about how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address COVID–19,
- What lessons from the use of infectious disease epidemiology in the past might be applicable to controlling COVID 19
- What are the benefits of addressing this issue at the population level as opposed to the individual level?
Vaccination of COVID-19, Small Pox, and Polio
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
- Briefly summarize the epidemiologic differences among the three diseases and how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address COVID–19.
- Are there any lessons learned from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox and polio that could be applied to COVfD–19?
- Evaluate the benefits of addressing this health problem at the population level versus the individual level. Support your Discussion with information from this week’s Learning Resources and articles you have located in the Walden Library