live vaccine
Attenuated immunizing shot
A live vaccine contains a weakened but still living form of a pathogen—a virus or bacterium that can replicate in the body but has been modified so it doesn't cause serious illness.
The immune system responds to this mild infection by building defenses against the full-strength version.
Live vaccines typically produce stronger, longer-lasting immunity than inactivated vaccines but aren't suitable for people with compromised immune systems.
Examples include vaccines for measles, mumps, and chickenpox.
- attenuatedLessened in force
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- weakenedMade less capable
- injectionSyringe-delivered dose
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
pathogen · antibodies · immune response · immunity · herd immunity · oral · nasal spray · polio · measles · MMR · yellow fever · smallpox · cowpox · inoculation · booster · vial · cold chain · syringe
- vaccinesPfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, childhood vaccinations, flu shot
- pet vaccinesrabies shot, booster shot, booster shots, boosters, annual shots