Vaccines present virus to the immune system for processing. The idea is to present the virus in as natural a way as possible so as to best mimic the stimulation obtained by natural infection yet skip the illness experienced by the patient. There are two ways to achieve this goal. One way is to use Killed Vaccine. Here, large amounts of dead virus are injected into the patient. They filter into the immune system & lead to stimulation.

Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure. Currently available viral vaccines are usually made from either killed virus or weakened versions of the live virus or pieces of the virus that stimulate an immune response to the virus. When immunized, the body is then poised to fight or prevent infection more effectively. Antivirals are drugs that may be given to help prevent viral infections or to treat people who have been infected by a virus. See similar questions...

A live vaccine contains a weakened version of a live micro-organism (bacteria or virus) that one desires to build-up protective immunity against. The oral vaccine against polio (Sabin) or the rabies vaccine belong to this category. Other vaccines use only a portion of the invading micro-organism's proteins or dead micro-organisms as in the Salk vaccine. Live vaccines build-up "military cells" (CTL) that go on search and destroy missions killing the invading micro-organisms. See similar questions...

Has a moderate to severe illness. If this is the case, the person may receive the vaccine when feeling better. See similar questions...

Vaccines are usually given as a preventive measure. Currently available viral vaccines are usually made from either killed virus or weakened versions of the live virus or pieces of the virus that stimulate an immune response to the virus. When immunized, the body is then poised to fight or prevent infection more effectively. Antivirals are drugs that may be given to help prevent viral infections or to treat people who have been infected by a virus. See similar questions...

No. Gardasil is a purified protein rather than a live virus, says Janet Gilsdorf, M.D., director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “Live-virus vaccines like measles and chicken pox have the potential to cause infections in  patients with weak immune systems, but that does not occur  with the HPV vaccine,” Gilsdorf says. See similar questions...

When the snake is older, if you have given it live mice, then it will be at risk from the adult mice. Adult mice can bite the snakes, and can blind or seriously injure corn snakes. So it is best to stick with frozen thawed mice for food. If your snake only will eat live, then you can wean it to eat frozen thawed. A safe live alternative for the snake is to feed rat pups that are large enough for the snake but still too young to bite, but I still strongly recommend frozen/thawed mice. See similar questions...

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A is present in the U.S. The vaccine for Hepatitis A is very effective. You would get your first shot at the time of your visit and that will give immunity for 1 year. A booster at 6-12 months will give you long term protection. Hepatitis B is spread through blood and body fluids. See similar questions...

Very few people would be able to get vaccinated at first. If a pandemic occurs, federal, state and local governments will work with partner groups to make specific recommendations on the early use of vaccine. Current recommendations are to target limited vaccine supplies to people at high risk and healthcare workers. See similar questions...

The smallpox vaccine is not given with a hypodermic needle. It is not a “shot,” like many vaccinations. The vaccine is given using a bifurcated (two-pronged) needle that is dipped into the vaccine solution. When removed, the needle retains a droplet of the vaccine. The needle is then used to prick the skin a number of times in a few seconds. The pricking is not deep, but it will cause a sore spot and one or two drops of blood to form. The vaccine usually is given in the upper arm. See similar questions...

The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, another “pox”-type virus related to smallpox but that does not cause smallpox. The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. It does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot spread smallpox. (added Nov 13, 2002) See similar questions...

As with any vaccinations there is always a chance of an adverse reaction. But the Takahashi rubella does have a proven track record through WHO reports which are completely in line with FDA safety standards. It is comparable to Merck's Meruvax single dose rubella vaccine for both safety and efficacy. See similar questions...

The opossum is an introduced marsupial that arrived in California in the early 1900's. Equipped with short legs, opposable thumb on the hind foot, and a prehensile tail allows the opossum to navigate almost all types of habitat within our county. This well adapted omnivore is commonly found as road kill mostly due to its movement pattern at night and its slow rate of speed. See similar questions...

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Some children and adolescents 5-17 years of age reported mild reactions during clinical studies, including: During clinical studies with live, intranasal influenza vaccine, many of these symptoms occurred whether or not the person was vaccinated. See similar questions...

ACIP does not specifically address the timing for repeating doses of expired vaccine. However, it would be prudent to wait 4 weeks (at least one incubation period) before repeating a dose of live vaccine that has expired. Even though the vaccine is expired, it might retain some viability that could interfere with the repeat dose. Therefore, it is best to wait 4 weeks to be sure. See similar questions...