Live vaccine
In contrast to the dead vaccine , a live vaccine consists of very small amounts of functional germs. They are so weakened ( attenuated ) that they can still multiply, but can no longer trigger the disease in immunocompetent vaccinated persons (loss of some virulence factors ). These ( genetic ) changes can occur naturally (spontaneous mutations ) or through genetic engineering . Is administered as a live vaccine spray vaccination ( for injection ) or as oral polio vaccine ( oral ).
If the pathogens are viruses , the term “live vaccine” is strictly not correct, since viruses are not living beings. However, the term has nevertheless established itself as in the Anglo-Saxon-speaking area (for example in "Live attenuated influenza virus vaccine", LAIV).
Advantages and disadvantages compared to dead vaccines
One advantage is that live vaccinations imitate a natural infection and protection lasts for a long time or even for life after a primary vaccination . The immune response can be humoral or cell-mediated . However, it is not suitable for immunocompromised people, as the vaccine pathogens spread too much when the immune system is weak. Another disadvantage is that vaccination could cause symptoms similar to the disease itself, but this happens very rarely. If so, they are usually very weak and only last a few days. Compared to before, today's live vaccinations are very well tolerated. The oral polio vaccination , which was abandoned in Europe, had in extreme individual cases even caused permanent paralysis in the sense of vaccination poliomyelitis . In addition, the vaccine viruses could experience reverse mutations.
pregnancy and breast feeding period
According to current recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute responsible for this in Germany , pregnancy should be avoided for at least one month after vaccination with live vaccines. Live vaccines are contraindicated throughout pregnancy . Hundreds of vaccinations performed shortly before or during pregnancy have not revealed any congenital malformations. On the other hand, due vaccinations with dead vaccines can be given to expectant mothers in the second and third trimester of pregnancy without hesitation; In the first third , on the other hand, to rule out any risk to the child, only those dead substance vaccinations that are urgently indicated on an individual basis should be carried out . During the subsequent breastfeeding period , vaccinations are generally possible without restrictions (except for a live vaccination against yellow fever ). In the case of live vaccination with the rotavirus vaccine , one hour after and before the vaccination should not be breast-fed in order to optimize the effect.
Live vaccines
- Measles vaccine
- Mumps vaccine
- Rubella vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
- BCG (= tuberculosis vaccine)
- oral typhoid vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- nasal influenza vaccine
- oral polio vaccine
- Smallpox vaccine
- Cholera vaccine
Different live vaccines or inactivated vaccines can be administered simultaneously. However, live vaccines can induce interferon , which suppresses further infection. Therefore, live and dead vaccines should be given at the same time. If vaccination is not carried out at the same time, the interval between two live vaccinations should be at least four weeks. This does not apply to dead vaccines or a combination with them.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Herbert Hof, Rüdiger Dörries: Medical Microbiology . 5th edition. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2014, ISBN 978-3-13-125315-6 , p. 729 ff .
- ↑ a b Can I be vaccinated during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Robert Koch Institute , April 17, 2015, accessed on February 2, 2020 .
