Whole Virus Vaccines
Whole-virus vaccines are a traditional platform consisting of weakened (attenuated) or completely inactivated whole-viruses that can no longer cause disease.
Attenuated vaccines present a mutated pathogen similar enough to that of the natural disease causing virus that a very small dose may generate strong and robust immune response that can offer a lifetime of protection. However, because attenuated viruses are still active, they may not be suitable for those with pre-existing conditions or the immunocompromised. Additionally, if too few mutations are introduced there is a small chance that the weakened virus may revert back to a disease causing state. Don't be alarmed though! Attenuated vaccines also require strict design and validation to ensure their safety. In fact, many attenuated-virus vaccines are widely and effectively used. Examples include the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Smallpox, Chickenpox, and Yellow fever vaccines.
Inactivated viruses are treated to completely disrupt and breakdown the viral genome. This means treated viruses can no longer infect or replicate in the human body but are left intact enough to be detected and illicit an immune response. Because some of the antigenic proteins on the surface of the virus may be compromised in the process of inactivation larger and/or multiple doses may be necessary to achieve desired levels and durations of protection. However, many inactivated virus vaccines have been very successful in helping provide protection against viruses such as Hepatitis A, Influenza, Polio, and Rabies.
There are a couple of COVID-19 whole-virus vaccine platforms to date that are approved for limited use in the U.A.E. and China. However, there are no complete phase 3 trials yet completed for any COVID-19 vaccine candidate utilizing the whole-virus platform.
Attenuated vaccines present a mutated pathogen similar enough to that of the natural disease causing virus that a very small dose may generate strong and robust immune response that can offer a lifetime of protection. However, because attenuated viruses are still active, they may not be suitable for those with pre-existing conditions or the immunocompromised. Additionally, if too few mutations are introduced there is a small chance that the weakened virus may revert back to a disease causing state. Don't be alarmed though! Attenuated vaccines also require strict design and validation to ensure their safety. In fact, many attenuated-virus vaccines are widely and effectively used. Examples include the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Smallpox, Chickenpox, and Yellow fever vaccines.
Inactivated viruses are treated to completely disrupt and breakdown the viral genome. This means treated viruses can no longer infect or replicate in the human body but are left intact enough to be detected and illicit an immune response. Because some of the antigenic proteins on the surface of the virus may be compromised in the process of inactivation larger and/or multiple doses may be necessary to achieve desired levels and durations of protection. However, many inactivated virus vaccines have been very successful in helping provide protection against viruses such as Hepatitis A, Influenza, Polio, and Rabies.
There are a couple of COVID-19 whole-virus vaccine platforms to date that are approved for limited use in the U.A.E. and China. However, there are no complete phase 3 trials yet completed for any COVID-19 vaccine candidate utilizing the whole-virus platform.
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