Antibiotics and Immunisation

Dr J. Post (Dept of Infectious Diseases, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick)

2:00 - 3:00 Lecture/Seminar: Antibiotics and Immunisation - Two-Edged Swords

3:15 - 5:00 The Great Vaccination Debate - Using Web-based resources, groups of three students will be asked to consider the issues regarding vaccination for a specific disease.

Assignment Topics:

Create a poster or Website based on one of the following themes:

• Why your child should be vaccinated against ........... - Benefits and Risks.

OR

• Overuse of antibiotics and the triumph of microbes over man.

References:

Immunisation:

Students should examine the arguments for and against vaccination.  Start with the link Diseases and Vaccines of the WHO Global Programme for Vaccines and Immunisation.   This site provides information on the overall safety of vaccines - follow the link Vaccines are safe to look at the misconceptions concerning vaccine safety.  Each student should choose a specific vaccine and review its effectiveness and safety.  The Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) presents opposing views on the role and safety of vaccination.   Follow the links to the National Vaccine Information Center which presents more detailed arguments.   Review the information on the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations in the light of these opposing views.

Antibiotic Resistance:

Students should examine the trends in antibiotic resistance and the factors leading to resistance and measures which can be taken to reduce resistance.  Begin with the Patient Information site of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics.   Follow the link in the references - The Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance and read this fully including links. 

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Last modified: 03/07/2001