Live attenuated vaccines

Definition

Live attenuated vaccines are vaccines created from live pathogens that have been weakened under laboratory conditions so they cannot cause disease. They stimulate a strong immune response by closely mimicking natural infection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Live attenuated vaccines induce both humoral and cellular immune responses.
2. Examples include the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
3. These vaccines are generally not recommended for immunocompromised individuals due to the risk of causing disease.
4. They often provide long-lasting immunity with fewer doses compared to inactivated or subunit vaccines.
5. Storage and handling require strict temperature control to maintain efficacy.

Review Questions

• What type of immune responses do live attenuated vaccines typically induce?
• Why might live attenuated vaccines be contraindicated for immunocompromised individuals?
• Name two diseases that can be prevented by live attenuated vaccines.

Related terms

Inactivated Vaccines: Vaccines made from pathogens that have been killed or inactivated so they cannot cause disease.

Subunit Vaccines: Vaccines that use pieces of the pathogen such as proteins to stimulate an immune response without using the whole pathogen.

Booster Dose: An additional dose of a vaccine given after the initial series to boost and prolong immunity.