Quadrivalent

Quadrivalent refers to a type of vaccine that is designed to protect against four different viruses. The term is most commonly used in relation to the influenza vaccine, which can be either trivalent (protecting against three viruses) or quadrivalent (protecting against four).

Types of Quadrivalent Vaccines

There are several types of quadrivalent vaccines currently in use:

• Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV): This vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of QIVs where they are available.

• Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV): This vaccine protects against four types of HPV: types 6, 11, 16, and 18. These types are responsible for the majority of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer.

• Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4): This vaccine protects against four types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which can cause meningitis and other serious illnesses.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of quadrivalent vaccines can vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and health status of the individual receiving the vaccine, and the match between the viruses in the vaccine and those circulating in the community.

Safety

Quadrivalent vaccines are generally safe and well-tolerated. As with any vaccine, there can be side effects, but these are usually mild and go away on their own.

See Also

• Vaccine
• Influenza vaccine
• Human papillomavirus vaccine
• Meningococcal vaccine

References

Quadrivalent Resources
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