Unit 8.2: Vaccinations

What is the purpose of vaccines?

The purpose of vaccines is to induce a specific primary immune response so that the next time the disease is encountered, a secondary response will be launched

What type of immunity can vaccines lead to?

Vaccines can lead to herd immunity, where diseases become sporadic

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is when you receive antibodies from another source

What is a natural and artificial example of passive immunity?

Natural acquired

• Getting immunity from antibodies passed in breast milk or placenta

Artificial acquired

• Getting immunity from antibodies harvested from another person or animal (antivenom)

What is active immunity?

Active immunity is when your body produces its own antibodies

What is a natural and artificial example of active immunity?

Natural acquired

• Immunity gained through illness and recovery

Artificial acquired

• Immunity gained through a vaccine

What are the 5 types of vaccines?

1. Live, attenuated (weakened) vaccines

2. Inactivated killed vaccines

3. Subunit vaccines

4. Conjugated vaccines

5. Nucleic acid vaccines

What are Live, attenuated (weakened) vaccines for and some examples of this?

Live, attenuated vaccines are typically for viruses

• Examples: MMR vaccine for measles, Influenza vaccine (nasal spray)

What are inactivated killed vaccines for and some examples of this?

Inactivated killed vaccines are typically for viruses and bacteria and require boosters

• Examples: Hepatitis A, Influenza vaccine (injection)

What are Subunit vaccines and some examples of this?

Subunit vaccines contain fragments of the microbe and are typically for viruses and bacteria

• Examples: Hepatitis B, HPV (both capsid fragments)

What do Conjugated vaccines do and what is an example of this?

Conjugated vaccines link polysaccharides to another protein, resulting in a strong immune response

• Example: Haemophilus influenzae vaccine (meningitis)

What do nucleic acid vaccines do and examples of this?

Nucleic acid vaccines make protein antigens from DNA or mRNA, activating cellular and humoral immunity

• Examples: West nile viruses (horses), Zika, Covid-19

What type of vaccine do nucleic acid vaccines only work on?

Nucleic acid vaccines only work on protein-based vaccines