Comments
Glossary
Exit
Back
Next
Immunization: You Call the Shots
skip to end of menu by clicking now Understanding the Basics:
General Recommendations
on Immunization
 
 Objectives
 Antigens & Antibodies
 Active & Passive Immunity
 Types of Vaccines
 General Rules
 General Rule #1
 General Rule #2
 General Rule #3
 General Rule #4
 General Rule #5
 General Rule #6
 General Rule #7
 Contraindictions & Precautions
 Resources

 

General Rule #2

Circulating antibody has more effect on the immune response
to live attenuated vaccines than on the immune response to
inactivated vaccines.

Antibodies from any source (e.g., from the mother before birth, from blood transfusions, from immune globulin administration) can interfere with replication of the live attenuated viruses or bacteria in the vaccine, specifically MMR, varicella, and MMRV vaccines. This interference can decrease the immune response, resulting in "vaccine failure." Inactivated vaccines do not contain live viruses or bacteria, so circulating antibodies do not substantially affect the immune response to inactivated vaccines.

This graph shows the relationship between low circulating antibodies to the antigen and a good response to the live attenuated vaccine. A second graph shows the relationship between high circulating antibodies to the antigen and a poor response to the live attenuated vaccine.
Source: HealthSoft, Inc.

Click here to continue.