Immunisations

Question 0

What is Active Immunisation?

Answer 0

Active immunity to an infection is acquired naturally after recovery from infection with the organism.

Artificial active immunity can be induced by the administration of an appropriate vaccine which stimulates the production of antibodies. This provides complete or partial protection.

Question 1

What is Passive Immunisation?

Answer 1

The donation of host specific antibodies against a particular agent by the injection of blood products derived from immune animals or humans.

Primarily used to give temporary immunity to those who are not immune. Passive immunity to common infections occur naturally through the transplacental transfer of antibodies from mother to baby.

Question 2

What are the 4 main types of vaccines?

Answer 2

1) Inactivated Vaccines
2) Live Vaccines
3) Toxoids
4) Component Vaccines

Question 3

What are Inactivated Vaccines?

Answer 3

Made from whole organisms which are killed during manufacture
Eg. Infected polio

Question 4

What are Live Vaccines?

Answer 4

Made from living organisms, which are either the organisms that cause the disease or organisms whose virulence (harmfulness) has been reduced by attenuation (weakening) methods.

Question 5

What are Toxoids?

Answer 5

Produced from bacterial toxins artificially rendered harmless
Eg. Diphtheria

Question 6

What are Component Vaccines?

Answer 6

Contain one or more of the component antigens of the target organism which are necessary to provoke an appropriate protective antibody response.