An attenuated vaccine uses live pathogenic material to induce immunity, but the strength of the pathogen is weakened during manufacturing. They can sometimes cause illness, but are more effective and less expensive to produce than killed vaccines. Common side effects include fever and fatigue.
An attenuated vaccine is a vaccine that uses live pathogenic material for the purpose of inducing immunity. The strength of the pathogen is weakened or attenuated during the manufacturing of the vaccine to make it less likely to cause disease. A number of vaccines including typhoid, tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella vaccines can be offered in attenuated forms.
Mitigation is usually achieved by culturing the pathogen in a foreign host such as a tissue culture, live animal, or egg, with chicken eggs being especially popular. The cultured pathogen is introduced in small quantities to a patient, often by inhalation, where it multiplies in the body. When exposed to the pathogen in the form of an attenuated vaccine, the immune system responds and develops antibodies so that when someone encounters a full-strength version, the body will be able to fight it off.
The idea behind an attenuated vaccine is that it’s strong enough to cause immunity, but too weak to cause disease. However, the use of such vaccines has sometimes been linked to illness in some patients. In some cases this appears to be because a batch of vaccines has not been handled properly, while in others the patient has reacted poorly or the virus has mutated within the body to become virulent. This is why attenuated vaccines are seen as riskier than killed or inactivated vaccines, where the pathogen is killed off before it’s introduced into the body so it can’t make someone sick.
Given that attenuated vaccines can sometimes cause disease, one might reasonably ask why they are used when inactive vaccines are available and presumably would be much safer. One of the main reasons for using an attenuated vaccine is that they are more effective, with some vaccinations not even being available in a killed form. Live vaccines also stimulate a greater immune system response, lead to the development of more antibodies, and confer longer-lasting immunity. Additionally, they are less expensive to produce than killed vaccines, making them attractive for rapid mass vaccination efforts.
When someone is vaccinated with an attenuated vaccine, it’s not uncommon to develop some minor symptoms of illness such as fever, fatigue, or sluggishness as the body’s immune system reacts. A doctor can discuss common side effects of specific vaccines with patients and their families, and a doctor can also talk about more serious side effects that may occur. As a general rule, the personal and social benefit of vaccination is thought to outweigh the risks, but there are some specific circumstances in which it may be dangerous for someone to be vaccinated, making it essential to provide a thorough medical history to a doctor or nurse before receiving a vaccination or a booster.
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