Inativadas

Inativadas is the feminine plural form of the adjective inativado/inativar in Portuguese and is used to describe entities that have undergone inactivation. In a broad sense, inactivation is the process of rendering something inactive, non-functional, or unable to replicate, while often preserving some other properties for analysis or use.

In the context of vaccines and microbiology, vacinas inativadas are vaccines produced from pathogens that have been killed or inactivated so they cannot replicate. They still stimulate an immune response, which provides protection without causing disease in most cases. Methods of inactivation include chemical agents (such as formaldehyde or beta-propiolactone) and physical approaches (such as heat or irradiation). Vaccines inativadas typically require adjuvants and multiple doses to achieve and maintain immunity, and are generally considered safe for individuals with weakened immune systems because they do not contain replicating organisms.

Beyond vaccines, the term is used for various biological materials rendered inactive, such as inactivated pathogens, toxins, enzymes, or cells, for purposes of storage, safety, diagnostic testing, or research. Inativação can be intentional, as part of manufacturing or biosafety protocols, or a natural consequence of environmental conditions. The concept is often contrasted with vacinas atenuadas, which use live but weakened organisms capable of limited replication.

See also: inativação, vacinas inativadas, vacinas atenuadas.