What are the Main Types of Vaccines? #shorts

Vaccines are one of the most important tools in modern medicine, helping to protect us from a wide range of diseases. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or killed form of a virus or bacteria into the body, which stimulates the immune system to create antibodies that can fight off the disease if it is encountered in the future. There are many different types of vaccines, each designed to protect against a specific disease. In this article, we will look at the main types of vaccines and how they work.

Live Attenuated Vaccines

Live attenuated vaccines are made from a weakened form of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system in the same way as the actual virus or bacteria, but without causing the disease. Examples of live attenuated vaccines include the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and the rotavirus vaccine.

Inactivated Vaccines

Inactivated vaccines are made from a killed form of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are not as effective as live attenuated vaccines, but they are still able to stimulate the immune system and provide some protection against the disease. Examples of inactivated vaccines include the influenza (flu) vaccine, the hepatitis A vaccine, and the polio vaccine.

Toxoid Vaccines

Toxoid vaccines are made from a toxin produced by the bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that can neutralize the toxin and protect against the disease. Examples of toxoid vaccines include the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.

Subunit Vaccines

Subunit vaccines are made from specific components of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These components are usually proteins or polysaccharides, and they are designed to stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that can recognize and fight off the disease. Examples of subunit vaccines include the hepatitis B vaccine, the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, and the pneumococcal vaccine.

Conjugate Vaccines

Conjugate vaccines are made from a combination of components from the virus or bacteria that causes the disease, and a carrier molecule. The carrier molecule helps the immune system to recognize the components of the virus or bacteria, and create antibodies that can fight off the disease. Examples of conjugate vaccines include the meningococcal vaccine and the Hib vaccine.

FAQs

What is a live attenuated vaccine?

A live attenuated vaccine is made from a weakened form of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system in the same way as the actual virus or bacteria, but without causing the disease.

What is an inactivated vaccine?

An inactivated vaccine is made from a killed form of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are not as effective as live attenuated vaccines, but they are still able to stimulate the immune system and provide some protection against the disease.

What is a toxoid vaccine?

A toxoid vaccine is made from a toxin produced by the bacteria that causes the disease. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that can neutralize the toxin and protect against the disease.

What is a subunit vaccine?

A subunit vaccine is made from specific components of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease. These components are usually proteins or polysaccharides, and they are designed to stimulate the immune system to create antibodies that can recognize and fight off the disease.

What is a conjugate vaccine?

A conjugate vaccine is made from a combination of components from the virus or bacteria that causes the disease, and a carrier molecule. The carrier molecule helps the immune system to recognize the components of the virus or bacteria, and create antibodies that can fight off the disease.