Inactivated vaccine

An inactivated vaccine (or killed vaccine) consists of virus particles which are grown in culture and then killed using a method such as heat or formaldehyde. These viruses are grown under controlled conditions and are rendered non-infectious as a means to reduce infectivity of the virus and prevent infection from the vaccine. Large doses, adjuvants, and multiple doses are required to confer an adaptive immune response against the inactivated pathogen.[1]

Examples

Types include:

Inactivated vaccines are contrasted with a/an attenuated vaccines, or "live" vaccines.

Mechanism

The virus particles are destroyed and cannot replicate, but the virus capsid proteins maintain some of their integrity to be recognized by the immune system and evoke an adaptive immune response. When manufactured correctly, the vaccine is not infectious, but improper inactivation can result in intact and infectious particles. Because the properly produced vaccine does not reproduce, booster shots are required periodically to reinforce the immune response.

References

  1. ↑ Petrovsky, Nikolai; Aguilar, Julio César (2004-09-28). "Vaccine adjuvants: Current state and future trends". Immunology and Cell Biology 82 (5): 488–496. doi:10.1111/j.0818-9641.2004.01272.x. ISSN 0818-9641.
  2. 1 2 "Immunization". Retrieved 2009-03-10.
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