Eluvaktsiinide

Eluvaktsiinide, also known as live attenuated vaccines, are a type of vaccine that uses a weakened form of the living virus or bacterium that causes a disease. This weakened pathogen, or antigen, is still capable of replicating in the body but does so at a much slower rate and is unable to cause serious illness in individuals with healthy immune systems. The attenuated pathogen closely mimics a natural infection, stimulating a robust and long-lasting immune response.

The immune system recognizes the weakened pathogen as foreign and mounts a defense by producing antibodies and memory cells. These memory cells remain in the body, allowing for a rapid and effective response if the individual is later exposed to the actual, virulent pathogen. This is why live attenuated vaccines are often highly effective and can provide lifelong immunity after one or two doses.

Examples of common live attenuated vaccines include the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and the oral polio vaccine. While generally safe and effective for most people, live attenuated vaccines are typically not recommended for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, as the weakened pathogen could potentially cause illness in these vulnerable populations. Pregnancy is also a contraindication for most live attenuated vaccines due to potential risks to the fetus.