Vaccines can contain several components, but the primary ingredients typically include:
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Antigens: These are substances that mimic the germ (bacteria or virus) that causes disease. They can be:
- Killed or inactivated forms of the germ.
- Live attenuated (weakened) forms of the germ.
- Subunit, recombinant, or conjugate components of the germ (specific parts of the germ like proteins or sugars).
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Adjuvants: These are substances that enhance the body's immune response to the antigen. They help to make the vaccine more effective.
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Preservatives: These are used to prevent contamination and to ensure the vaccine remains effective over time.
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Stabilizers: These help maintain the vaccine’s effectiveness during storage.
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Diluent: Some vaccines require a diluent (such as saline) to be mixed before administration.
Essentially, while vaccines may include a deactivated or weakened form of a germ (the antigen), they do not contain a medicine that fights a germ in the traditional sense (like antibiotics). Instead, they work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight the germ if the body is exposed to it in the future.