Attenuated vaccine

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Microscopic view of an attenuated virus used in vaccines.

Attenuated Vaccine[edit | edit source]

An attenuated vaccine is a vaccine created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, but still keeping it viable or "live". This type of vaccine contrasts with those produced by "killing" the virus (inactivated vaccine).

Overview[edit | edit source]

Attenuated vaccines use a living organism that has been modified so it cannot cause disease in healthy people. The goal is to stimulate the immune system to recognize and combat the pathogen, without causing the actual disease.

Development[edit | edit source]

The development process of an attenuated vaccine involves growing the virus or bacterium in specific conditions that weaken or attenuate it. This could involve:

  • Growing the pathogen in unusual temperatures.
  • Cultivating it in cells it doesn’t usually infect.

Over time, these conditions result in the pathogen losing its disease-causing properties.

Benefits[edit | edit source]

  • Strong Immune Response: Often elicits a more robust immune response than inactivated vaccines.
  • Long-lasting Immunity: Can sometimes provide lifelong protection with just one or two doses.

Risks[edit | edit source]

While attenuated vaccines are generally safe, there are some risks:

  • Reversion: In rare cases, the attenuated pathogen can revert to its disease-causing form and induce the disease it was intended to prevent.
  • Weakened Immune System Concerns: These vaccines might not be safe for people with weakened immune systems, as even the attenuated form of the pathogen could cause illness.
A laboratory setting for vaccine production.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Famous attenuated vaccines include:

Storage and Stability[edit | edit source]

Attenuated vaccines often require stringent storage conditions, usually necessitating refrigeration. This can sometimes make distribution in regions without consistent cold storage facilities challenging.

See Also[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Attenuated vaccine Resources
Wikipedia
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