In recent years, we have started to hear more and more about the concept of “anti-vaccine sentiment”. This issue has found a place on internet in both informational and discussion programs between experts and the public. I am planning to explain this topic in 2 blogs. So in this article, I will discuss the what is a vaccine and types of vaccines.
Let’s start with a question: What is a vaccine or vaccination? During the Covid-19 Pandemic, we all had become familiar with the term “vaccination”. Vaccination is an easy and effective way to prevent both the harmful diseases and their spreading. In today’s world, there 6 types of vaccines: inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, mRNA vaccines, conjugate vaccines, toxoid vaccines, and viral vector vaccines.
- In inactivated vaccines, killed germs (viruses or bacteria) are introduced to the immune system. Since they are killed, they cannot replicate. However, generally more than 1 shot of these vaccines needed in order to create a long-term preventation against diseases. Example for inactivated vaccines are rabies, IPV, flu, and Hepatitis A vaccines.
- On the other hand, in live-attenuated vaccines, pathogen is weakened. Pathogen still can replicate, but would not cause disease if the person is healthy. Some of the live-attenuated vaccines are smallpox and chickenpox vaccines.
- mRNA vaccines is a recent technology. To trigger an immune response, mRNA vaccines make proteins. This new type of vaccine is very beneficial compared to other types of vaccines, especially considering its shorter manufacturing time. Since mRNA vaccines do not contain a live virus, there is no risk of the vaccine causing disease in the vaccinated person. Example for this type of vaccine is the Covid-19 vaccine, which is designed by Pfizer-BioNTech.
- In conjugate vaccines, a specific piece of the germ is used, such as its protein, capsid or sugar. These vaccines give a very strong immune response. The best advantage of these vaccines is that they can be also used on people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems. So, the range is really wide. Similar to inactivated vaccines, mostly several shots are needed. The most known example for this type of vaccine is the HPV vaccine.
- Tetanus vaccine is a toxoid vaccine. Toxoid vaccines use a toxin made by the germ that causes a disease. More than 1 shots are needed over time to maintain the protection against disease.
- In viral vector vaccines a modified version of a different virus is used as a vector to deliver protection. An example for this is that in some COVID-19 vaccines, adenovirus is used as a viral vector.
Overall, these are the types of vaccines that have been saving our lives over hundreds of years. Take care of yourself until the next blog, which will be next part of this text.
Bibliography
- Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP). “Vaccine Types.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22 Dec. 2022, www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/types/index.html.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Vaccines Protect You.” HHS.gov, 26 Apr. 2021, www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/work/prevention/index.html.