Parasitic infections can blunt the immune response, potentially reducing the effectiveness of vaccines. Because of this, it can be worthwhile to undergo appropriate testing before vaccination. This view was shared with socialbites.ca by a professor from the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases, EI Marcinov Sechenov University. The expert cited is Yevgeny Morozov, a doctor of medical sciences and parasitologist.
“Any parasitic disease poses a risk because vaccines may not work as expected when a parasitic infection is present. Parasitic diseases suppress the immune system. Vaccines provide protection, but if a person harbors an undiagnosed infection, the vaccine may not achieve its full effect. When a client brings a pet in for vaccination, a veterinarian will usually ask whether the animal has worms. In medical practice, many clinicians do not routinely ask patients about parasite infections. As a result, a person who is unaware of a hidden illness, such as ascariasis, might receive a vaccination and still become infected later. This mismatch can lead to misleading statistics that appear to show the vaccine failed when the real issue is an underlying parasitic infection.”
Morozov emphasized that before receiving a vaccine, a patient should at least consider a stool test, noting that helminthiases are among the most common parasitic diseases in some regions and many of them can be detected through stool analysis.
For readers seeking information on what symptoms could signal a parasitic infection and how proper treatment can proceed, refer to the material provided by socialbites.ca. The cited expert discussion offers context on how parasitic infections may influence vaccination outcomes and the importance of accurate diagnosis before vaccination. [citation: socialbites.ca]