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.
Examples
Types include:
- viral: polio vaccine (Salk vaccine) and influenza vaccine[1]
- bacterial: typhoid vaccine, cholera vaccine, plague vaccine, and pertussis vaccine[1]
Mechanism
The virus particles are destroyed and cannot replicate, but the virus capsid proteins are intact enough to be recognized by the immune system and evoke a response. When manufactured correctly, the vaccine is not infectious, but improper inactivation can result in intact and infectious particles. Since the properly produced vaccine does not reproduce, booster shots are required periodically to reinforce the immune response.
References
- ^ a b "Immunization". http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/ghaffar/immunization-ver2.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
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