Vaccines - Friend or Foe?

Why should I take this Trinity Elective?

Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in modern medicine, yet many people don't fully understand how they work or why they are essential. In Ireland, we are all vaccinated against multiple infectious diseases, but what actually happens inside our bodies when we receive a vaccine? How do scientists develop different types of vaccines, and why do some work better than others? At the same time, public debates around vaccination have intensified, with misinformation fueling skepticism. How do we assess these arguments critically? What ethical dilemmas arise in vaccine development and distribution?

If you want to understand the science behind vaccines, evaluate their safety and effectiveness, and explore the ethical and societal issues surrounding them, then this is the Trinity Elective for you.

What will I learn?

• The principles of vaccination, including how different immune responses combat bacteria and viruses.
• The science behind vaccine development, from research strategies to real-world application.
• How to critically assess ethical issues in vaccine research and public health policy.

What will I do?

• Attend lectures with leading scientists to explore the fundamentals of immunology and vaccine technology (no prior knowledge required).
• Use an interactive online tool to track how a vaccine triggers an immune response.
• Engage in ethical workshops, to debate real-world vaccination dilemmas.
• Develop a public communication message on vaccines to refine your ability to convey scientific information clearly and effectively.

How will this be delivered?

• 16 hours of face-to-face lectures and 20 hours of online activities.
• 30 hours of engagement in ethics workshops, including two 2-hour in-person sessions and online discussions.
• 30 hours of independent reading, group projects, and assessments.

How will this be assessed?

• 45% – MCQ and online interactive assessment, tutorials on vaccines.
• 25% – Group project: Create a short public message on vaccines.
• 30% – Ethical workshops: Debate ethical vaccine issues, make group decisions, and reflect on personal perspectives.

Who can take this Trinity Elective?

This elective is open to all eligible students except those enrolled in the following programmes:

• Immunology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Molecular Medicine, Human Health and Disease, and Pharmacy.
• Students taking BYU22206 Microbes, Immune Systems and Their Interactions or the Trinity Elective TEU00512 Life and Death in Data: Plagues, Pestilence, and Pandemics.

* Please note that assessment methods, assessment weightings and amount of contact hours are subject to change by the module coordinator. You can confirm all assessment details and expected contact hours with the module coordinator upon starting the elective.