Inactivated vaccines

Definition

Inactivated vaccines are made from viruses or bacteria that have been killed through physical or chemical processes. These vaccines cannot cause disease but still stimulate an immune response.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inactivated vaccines often require multiple doses to achieve and maintain immunity.
2. They are generally stable and safer than live vaccines, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
3. Common examples include the polio (IPV), hepatitis A, and rabies vaccines.
4. Booster shots may be necessary to ensure long-term immunity since the immune response is not as strong as with live vaccines.
5. Inactivated pathogens in these vaccines retain their surface antigens, which are crucial for inducing an immune response.

Review Questions

• Why might inactivated vaccines require booster shots?
• What are two advantages of inactivated vaccines over live attenuated vaccines?
• Name three diseases for which inactivated vaccines are commonly used.

Related terms

Live Attenuated Vaccines: Vaccines created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen but still keeping it viable.

Subunit Vaccines: Vaccines that contain only parts of a virus or bacteria to stimulate an immune response.

Adjuvant: A substance added to some vaccines to enhance the body's immune response to the provided antigen.