Vaccine adjuvant

Vaccine adjuvants are components that enhance the body's immune response to vaccines. They are often included in vaccines to improve the body's immune response and increase the effectiveness of the vaccine.

History

The concept of vaccine adjuvants dates back to the early 20th century, when Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin developed the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis. They found that adding an adjuvant to the vaccine increased its effectiveness.

Types of Adjuvants

There are several types of vaccine adjuvants, including:

• Aluminum salts or alums were the first type of adjuvant used for licensed vaccines. They are still widely used today.
• Oil emulsions are a type of adjuvant that includes squalene-based adjuvants. They are used in some influenza vaccines.
• Virosomes are adjuvants that are made up of reconstituted viral envelopes, which can enhance the body's immune response to a vaccine.
• Adjuvant systems are combinations of adjuvants that can be used to enhance the body's immune response to a vaccine.

Mechanism of Action

Vaccine adjuvants work by enhancing the body's immune response to a vaccine. They can do this in several ways, including:

• Depot effect: Some adjuvants, like aluminum salts, can create a depot at the injection site, which allows the antigen to be released slowly over time.
• Immune potentiation: Adjuvants can enhance the immune response by activating immune cells and stimulating the production of cytokines.
• Targeting: Some adjuvants can help to target the antigen to immune cells, which can enhance the immune response.

Safety and Efficacy

Vaccine adjuvants have been used safely in vaccines for many years. They are carefully tested for safety and efficacy before they are included in a vaccine. However, like all medical interventions, they can have side effects. These are usually mild and temporary.

See Also

• Vaccine
• Immunology
• Immunization

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