The Four Main Types of Vaccines

Vaccine Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash

Canadian biopharmaceutical company PnuVax develops high-quality vaccinations for use around the world. To provide a wide net of coverage, PnuVax creates vaccines that span numerous variations and classifications.

The four main types of vaccines are live, inactivated, toxoid, and conjugate. Each type is briefly described below:

- Live vaccines

Capable of creating strong, long-lasting immune protection against certain viruses and bacteria, live vaccines are made with a weakened form of the condition. Rotavirus, shingles, and chickenpox vaccines are examples of live vaccines. Since these contain a whole virus or bacteria, they are not suitable for people with a compromised immune system since they may cause the disease they are trying to fight.

- Inactivated vaccines

Parts of a whole bacteria or virus are also used in inactivated vaccines. However, the bacteria or virus is already dead. Since there are no living components in these vaccines, they cannot cause diseases. However, they often require repeated doses since they are not as strong as live vaccines.

- Toxoid vaccines

Toxoid vaccines use inactivated forms of bacteria to create protection against certain diseases. Toxoids create a strong immune response but cannot cause the disease. Some common toxoids are tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.

- Conjugate vaccines

These vaccines are made from the connection of different components of a germ, such as a sugar or protein. By combining the components, the vaccines are effective in a wide range of patients and capable of triggering a strong immune response, even in people with weakened immune systems. Hepatitis B, HPV, and whooping cough vaccines are conjugates.