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historyofvaccines.org
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Definitions (59)
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adjuvant
An agent added to some vaccines that enhances the immune system’s response to vaccine antigens. Adjuvants used in vaccines include aluminum salts and, in Canada and the European Union, squalene, which [..]
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Adverse event
A possible side effect resulting from a vaccination.
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antibody
A protein generated by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen. Antibodies attach to that antigen to help counter its effects.
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antigen
A substance that provokes the immune system to generate antibodies against it.
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Antigen-presenting cell
A white blood cell that recognizes antigens, binds to them, ingests them, breaks them down, and then presents pieces of them to T cells.
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Antigenic drift
Change in the genetic makeup of a virus, especially an influenza virus, that leads to a new strain of the virus. Antigenic drift causes the virus’s outer surface to appear different to a host previous [..]
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Antigenic shift
The process by which different influenza A viruses combine to result in a new subtype of virus. Antigenic shift may result in global disease spread, or pandemic, because humans will have few or no ant [..]
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antitoxin
Antibody that neutralizes a toxin. Diphtheria antitoxin, for example, is derived from the blood of horses immunized with diphtheria toxin and is given, along with antibiotics, to treat patients with c [..]
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attenuation
The process of weakening a pathogen. Attenuation may be achieved in a variety of way: by exposing the pathogen to heat or chemicals, for example, or by passing the pathogens through a growth medium ma [..]
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Bacteria
A group of microscopic single-celled organisms. Some bacteria are capable of causing disease in humans and other organisms.
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