Vacina | Jorge Kalil | TEDxUSP

The Importance of Vaccines and Knowledge

• The ability to control fire was a significant turning point for humanity, allowing for knowledge accumulation and transmission, which sets us apart from animals.
• Knowledge can be used for good or evil, making ethics crucial in its application.

The History of Vaccines

• Edward Jenner, a British physician, discovered the first vaccine by taking cowpox, a bovine disease, and injecting it into a child. This child was then protected from smallpox.
• The smallpox vaccine is highly effective, offering almost 100% protection.

The Impact of Vaccines

• Vaccines have significantly increased life expectancy, particularly in the last century.
• The discovery of vaccines, antibiotics, and clean water have been instrumental in extending human lifespans.

The Eradication of Smallpox

• Smallpox was a deadly disease, killing 20% of those infected, which is five times higher than the COVID-19 mortality rate.
• Through extensive vaccination programs, smallpox was finally eradicated in 1980.

The Spread of Misinformation

• Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a former physician, spread false information claiming that the measles vaccine caused autism.
• This misinformation led to a decline in vaccination rates worldwide.

The Importance of Herd Immunity

• The speaker, Jorge Kalil, emphasizes the importance of herd immunity, but acknowledges its limitations in the case of COVID-19 due to the virus's rapid mutation.
• He explains that the measles outbreak originated from Venezuelan migrants who lacked access to the national immunization program.

The Development of COVID-19 Vaccines

• He credits the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines to accumulated knowledge from previous outbreaks like SARS and MERS, particularly regarding the spike protein.
• The speaker highlights the role of RNA vaccine platforms and the significant financial support provided by the US government through the Warp Speed program, which allocated $2 billion to each laboratory developing a vaccine.

The Brazilian National Immunization Program

• Brazil has a strong national immunization program, considered one of the best in the world. It is free and available to everyone through the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System).
• The program covers a wide range of preventable diseases, including those for which vaccines are commercially available and those that are important for Brazil specifically, such as dengue.

The Butantan Institute

• The Butantan Institute, where Jorge Kalil was president, produced many of the vaccines used in the program and conducted research on new vaccines.
• The program was known for its mascot, Zé Gotinha, who was popular with children and helped to promote vaccination.

The Decline in Vaccination Rates

• However, vaccination rates have declined in recent years, both in Brazil and globally.
• This decline is attributed to the spread of misinformation and a lack of awareness about the importance of vaccines.

The Importance of Accurate Information

• The text highlights the importance of accurate information and the need to combat misinformation about vaccines.
• The text also emphasizes the seriousness of diseases like measles and pertussis, which can be fatal, especially for children.

The Development of a Nasal Vaccine for COVID-19

• The researchers decided to develop a nasal vaccine called "Multica" to induce an immune response in the nasal mucosa, which is crucial for preventing severe COVID-19.
• They tested 52 different formulations before arriving at the final one, which uses two nanoparticles: one with an antigen attached and another surrounding it.

The Potential Benefits of Vaccines

• Kalil then discusses the potential benefits of vaccines, including their ability to prevent cancer, such as cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine. He proudly mentions bringing the HPV vaccine to Brazil at a significantly reduced price.
• He also highlights the potential of vaccines to prevent other autoimmune diseases and even heart disease, citing the development of a vaccine for rheumatic heart disease.

The Global Impact of Vaccines

• Kalil emphasizes the significant impact of vaccines on global health, citing a study that estimated a saving of 154 million lives due to vaccination programs over the past 50 years.
• He concludes by mentioning his participation in a group of experts in Geneva who are preparing for future pandemics.

Preparing for Future Pandemics

• Jorge Kalil emphasizes the importance of preparing for future pandemics with knowledge and understanding.
• He highlights the need to identify the most challenging pathogens, develop effective vaccine platforms, and streamline the process of drug development.

The Need for Global Access to Vaccines

• Kalil emphasizes the need for global access to vaccines and medical supplies, highlighting the disparity in access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• He advocates for a more equitable approach to healthcare, ensuring that solutions benefit all countries, not just wealthy ones.