Vaccine Overview: Summary by Vaccine Types - LabCE.com, Laboratory Continuing Education

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Vaccine Overview: Summary by Vaccine Types

Attenuated refers to a “weakened” form of disease-causing germ, be it a bacterium or a virus. Very strong immune reactions and the resultant immunity are generated by this type of vaccine due to the structural similarities with the nascent form of the germ.
Caution is provided by healthcare staff to individuals with chronic illnesses, weakened immune systems, or those who have undergone organ transplantation and on immune suppressant medications, with the use of live attenuated vaccines.
Examples of live attenuated vaccines in use include chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella combined vaccine), rotavirus, smallpox, and yellow fever.

Vaccines based on subunit, conjugate, polysaccharides, and recombinant constructs

Bacteria and viruses contain molecular slices uniquely associated with the germ of interest. These slices can be in the form of a sugar group, a protein, or parts of the germs such as an envelope that shells the germ. These slices bear high specificity to the germ; hence, are a powerful way of eliciting an immune response and subsequent immunity primarily as neutralizing antibodies. In contrast to live attenuated vaccines that could pose health complications (the details of which need physician consultation), the type of vaccine under discussion here is deemed suitable for the general population including those who are immune compromised or weakened, as well as those under medication with immune suppressants. To maintain sustained immunity, booster shots are often needed.
Examples of vaccines based on selective slices of the germs include hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza type b (or Hib), HPV, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and whooping cough.

The very naming of “inactivated” gives the impression of “dormant for the moment”, but in reality, “inactivated” vaccines are defined as the use of “killed” germs to generate an immune response and subsequent immunity for protection. Due to the “killed” nature, this type of vaccine administration needs an initial dose followed by several booster shots over time.
Examples of inactivated vaccines include seasonal influenza shot, hepatitis A, polio, and rabies.