Explain the term “vaccine” and list the different vaccines that are administered to humans. [Answer Limit: 125 words] [UKPSC 2012]
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A vaccine is a biological preparation that enhances the immune system’s ability to fight specific diseases. It typically contains a harmless form of the pathogen or its components, which stimulate the body to develop immunity.
Various types of vaccines used for humans include:
1. **Live Attenuated Vaccines**: Examples include measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
2. **Inactivated Vaccines**: Such as inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and hepatitis A vaccine.
3. **Subunit Vaccines**: Examples include hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
4. **Conjugate Vaccines**: Such as pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines.
5. **Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccines**: Used for COVID-19, like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
6. **Viral Vector Vaccines**: Such as the Ebola vaccine.
These vaccines are essential for preventing infectious diseases and promoting public health.