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vaccine |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.06 sec. |
vaccinePreparation containing either killed or weakened live microorganisms or their toxins, introduced by mouth, by injection, or by nasal spray to stimulate production of antibodies against an infectious agent. This confers immunity to that agent, since the B lymphocytes remain sensitized to it and respond to later infection by producing more antibodies. The first vaccine, against smallpox, was introduced by Edward Jenner in 1798. Vaccines have been developed against diseases caused by bacteria (e.g., typhoid, whooping cough, tuberculosis) and by viruses (e.g., measles, influenza, rabies, poliomyelitis). Effectiveness varies, and a small percentage of people have adverse reactions. Those with immunodeficiency disorders should not receive live vaccines. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| Flu shots, which use a dead vaccine, can't cause the flu, but on occasion cause some reaction, most commonly redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the shot. ``It's a dead vaccine and it can't transmit influenza,'' she said. Shots aside, however,Fannin and other officials worry that the dead vaccine won't give the same blanket protection as the live vaccine, which can "cross-vaccinate": In the same way the weakened virus can cause polio in people with significant immunity deficiencies, it can also spread its effectiveness from a child who has recently been immunized with the live vaccine to one who has not. |
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