Inactivated vaccines

Question 1

Inactivated vaccines contain

Answer 1

whole pathogens that have been killed (‘whole killed’) or small parts (‘subunit’) of the pathogens (eg. proteins or sugars or harmless forms of the toxins – toxoids)

Question 2

As inactivated vaccines do not contain living pathogens they cannot cause disease, even for those with

Answer 2

weakened immune systems

Question 3

However, these vaccines do not trigger a

Answer 3

strong or long-lasting immune response like live attenuated vaccines. Repeated doses and/or booster doses are often required

Question 4

Some people may have allergic reactions or local reactions (eg. sore arm) to inactivated vaccines as …………..(eg. aluminium salts) may be conjugated (joined) to the subunit of the pathogen to strengthen and lengthen the immune response

Answer 4

adjuvants (substances which enhance the bodies immune response to a reaction

Question 5

An example of a whole killed vaccine is the

Answer 5

polio vaccine

Question 6

An example of a toxoid subunit vaccine (where inactivated versions of the toxins produced by pathogens are used) is Diphtheria