Immunization and Vaccines

Questions and Answers

Which type of vaccine relies on RNA to instruct cells to produce a viral protein?

Subunit vaccine

Toxoid vaccine

RNA vaccine (correct)

DNA vaccine

What is a major challenge associated with RNA vaccines?

They require lipid envelopes and low temperatures. (correct)

They are too stable for effective use.

They can easily transport and store.

They have high immunogenicity without any modifications.

Which of the following vaccines is known to use capsular polysaccharide material to enhance immunogenicity?

Hepatitis B vaccine

Tetanus toxoid vaccine

Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (correct)

HPV vaccine

Which type of vaccine is characterized as being more stable than RNA vaccines and requires delivery into the cell nucleus?

DNA vaccine Signup and view all the answers

Diphtheria toxoid vaccines are an example of which type of immunization strategy?

Toxoid vaccines Signup and view all the answers

Which of these vaccines resembles viruses but is incapable of causing disease?

Virus-like particle vaccine Signup and view all the answers

What factor is crucial for enhancing the immunogenicity of bacterial polysaccharides in vaccines?

Conjugation to a protein Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vaccine types is characterized by the use of organisms that have lost virulence but maintain antigenicity?

Live attenuated Signup and view all the answers

What is a key disadvantage of live attenuated vaccines?

They may revert to the virulent form. Signup and view all the answers

Which vaccine is typically used to eradicate measles, mumps, and rubella in childhood immunization schedules?

MMRV vaccine Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vaccine requires strict handling and refrigeration to maintain viability?

Live attenuated vaccine Signup and view all the answers

Which COVID-19 vaccine type utilizes genetic material to provoke an immune response?

RNA vaccine Signup and view all the answers

What challenge might arise from the use of live attenuated vaccines for immunosuppressed individuals?

They may be more virulent for these individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Sabin polio vaccine eventually replaced by the killed (Salk) polio vaccine?

It became more dangerous as wild-type polio disappeared. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of inactivated vaccines?

They require multiple doses at specific intervals. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding non-replicating viral vectors?

They provide a better immune response compared to protein subunit vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue with booster shots in inactivated vaccines?

Their antibody response can wane over time. Signup and view all the answers

How are subunit vaccines advantageous compared to whole-cell vaccines?

They are less likely to cause side effects than whole-cell vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

What role do adjuvants play in inactivated vaccines?

They increase the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of viral vector vaccines?

To stimulate an immune response similar to an actual infection. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vaccines would most likely require reimmunization due to waning immunity?

Inactivated vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vaccine is designed to elicit immunity without causing any disease symptoms?

Subunit vaccines Signup and view all the answers

How does age affect the immune response to vaccination?

Infants may not respond adequately to certain vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vaccines is typically administered to children in early childhood as part of routine immunization?

Hepatitis B vaccine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of achieving herd immunity?

To provide indirect protection to susceptible individuals Signup and view all the answers

In which region might one find a higher percentage of unvaccinated children due to cultural beliefs?

South Asia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which neutralizing antibodies protect against viruses?

They block the biological activity of viruses. Signup and view all the answers

When developing immunization schedules, which factor is NOT primarily considered?

Annual healthcare costs of vaccines Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of how antibodies can enhance immune response?

Antigenic drift Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of immunological memory generated by B lymphocytes?

To enable a faster and more efficient response upon re-exposure Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Subunit Vaccines

Hepatitis B vaccine utilizes the outer coating (surface antigen) for immunization.
Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines created from bacterial polysaccharide capsules, often conjugated with proteins to enhance immunogenicity.
Pertussis vaccine is another example of subunit vaccines.

Virus-Like Particles

Created from self-assembling viral proteins, resembling viruses without nucleic acid, thereby non-infectious.
Notable examples include HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines.

RNA Vaccines

Composed of mRNA that instructs cells to produce viral proteins, triggering an immune response.
Require lipid envelopes and low-temperature storage due to RNA instability, complicating transport and storage.

DNA Vaccines

More stable than RNA vaccines, involving the injection of plasmids containing target virus protein genes.
These vaccines elicit an immune response and can be stored and transported more easily but must enter the cell nucleus to be effective.

Toxoid Vaccines

Formulated from inactivated toxins to provide protection against the effects of the toxins (e.g., tetanus and diphtheria vaccines).
Typically administered in multiple doses with adjuvants to improve immunogenicity.

Viral Vector Vaccines

Replicating virus vectors are engineered to express target viral proteins, eliciting immune responses without causing disease (e.g., Ebola vaccine).
Non-replicating vectors, such as treated adenoviruses, express target viral proteins providing better immune responses than protein subunit vaccines.

Inactivated Vaccines

Include whole cell, subunit, and virus-like particles, often accompanied by adjuvants to boost immunogenicity.
Administered via injection, typically requiring multiple doses with immunity that may wane over time.

Live Attenuated Vaccines

Use weakened organisms with limited virulence to stimulate strong, long-lasting immunity (e.g., BCG, MMRV).
Can be administered non-injectively and may not require boosters, although they pose risks to immunosuppressed individuals and may revert to virulence.

Safety and Efficacy of Live Attenuated Vaccines

BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, MMRV for measles/mumps/rubella, and the Sabin polio vaccine were pivotal in reducing disease incidence.
The Sabin vaccine was ultimately replaced by the killed Salk vaccine due to reversion risks as wild polio rates declined.

Immunization Purpose and Benefits

Aimed at generating immune responses that prevent or mitigate disease severity.
Can achieve herd immunity, providing indirect protection to non-immune individuals through widespread vaccination.

Action of Antibodies

Neutralizing antibodies block antigen activity, providing defense against toxins and viruses.
Antibodies facilitate opsonization, enhancing phagocytosis of pathogens and activating complement for organism lysis.

Immunological Memory

B lymphocytes produce antibodies through plasma cell activation, ensuring specificity to the target pathogen and contributing to long-lasting immunity.

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Description

This quiz covers examples of subunit vaccines, including the Hepatitis B vaccine and conjugated vaccines such as Haemophilus influenzae type B and pneumococcal vaccines. Learn how these vaccines utilize outer coatings and polysaccharide materials to elicit immune responses. Test your knowledge on the specifics of vaccine types and their components.