ABSTRACT

Other than macromolecular components, a vaccine may consist of a plasmid that contains a cDNA encoding an antigen of a microorangism. Other vaccines include antiinsect vector vaccines, fertility-control vaccines, peptide-based preparations, antiidiotype preparations and DNA vaccines, among others. There is no antiparasite vaccine manufactured by conventional technology in use at present. Vaccines can be prepared from weakened or killed microorganisms, inactivated toxins, toxoids derived from microorganisms, or immunologically active surface markers extracted from microorganisms. They can be administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intradermally, orally, or intranasally; as single agents or in combination. An ideal vaccine should be effective, well tolerated, easy and inexpensive to produce, easy to administer, and convenient to store. Vaccine side effects include fever, muscle aches and injection site pain, but these are usually mild. Reportable adverse reactions to vaccines include anaphylaxis, shock, seizures, active infection, and death.