Viral Vaccines Flashcards
Vaccine
A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, or a portion of the pathogen’s structure that upon administration stimulates antibody production or cellular immunity against the pathogen but is incapable of causing severe infection.
Passive Immunization
Giving somebody the antibodies or cells from someone who has already had the virus. (rabies or tetanus)
Antigen
Foreign protein that is capable of inducing an immune response.
Adjuvants
Substances that non-specifically stimulate the immune system to improve protection by the vaccine.
Vaccine Components
Antibiotics, DNA, egg proteins, gelatin, thiomerosol, yeast, formaldehyde
Alleged Consequences
Autism, MS, arthritis, diabetes, allergies to gelatin, eggs, and yeast
Herd Immunity
Immunizing a large percentage of the population so that the non-immunized individuals are protected due to the immune barrier presented to the pathogen when it encounters the vaccinated population.
Attenuated Vaccines
Containing a weakened organism that cannot cause disease
Inactivation
Killed vaccine or no longer infective. Chemical inactivation: BPL, Formalin
Modified Live Vaccine
Subjected to target attenuation, mostly by genetic engineering
Natural Variants
FCV - Natural virus whose virulence is low
Heterotypic Vaccines
Use a closely related agent, measles and canine distemper, cowpox and small pox
Passage Repeatedly
In cell culture, eggs or alien host
Subunit Vaccines
Contain just the capsid protein
Vectored Vaccine
Express antigens of pathogen in another virus or bacterium
