Vaccines Global Summit

Among the most well-established types of vaccines, inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines utilize different mechanisms to engage the immune system and prevent infectious diseases. Over time, these vaccines have proven useful for the management of diseases such as polio, measles, and flu. Thus, vaccines represent the backbone of immunization efforts worldwide.

Inactivated vaccines use a killed or inactivated form of the virus or bacteria that induces an immune response. The avirulence of the pathogens means that this pathogen is not able to cause any disease, and consequently, the vaccines are safe for even individuals with weakened immune systems. Inactivated vaccines typically require booster doses, or follow-up injections, as the developed immune response is likely to be less effective or shorter in duration compared with a live-attenuated vaccine. Two examples include the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and the hepatitis A vaccine. These vaccines are well suited to protect against diseases where a consistent immune response over time is desired.

Live-attenuated vaccines, on the other hand, include a weakened form of the pathogen that is still capable of replication but has mutations that prevent it from causing illness in healthy individuals. These vaccines typically produce enhanced, long-term immunity to a disease similar to that of natural infection and often require fewer doses. Examples of live-attenuated vaccines include the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, oral polio vaccine (OPV), and a few others. However, due to the fact that the virus or bacteria in live-attenuated vaccines is live, they are inappropriate for people whose immunity is weakened.

Both types of vaccines require specific storage and handling conditions. For example, live-attenuated vaccines must be kept refrigerated, which becomes difficult in far-flung areas with scarce healthcare facilities. Inactivated vaccines, on the other hand, are often more stable and easier to store.

There is a defined role for inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines in the prevention of infectious diseases. Understanding the specific strengths and weaknesses of each vaccine type is crucial, as this knowledge can lead to better healthcare provider decision-making for effective immunization of diverse groups. Ultimately, this contributes positively to public health globally by reducing disease.