Vaccines are an important tool in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines are made up of weakened or killed forms of a virus or bacteria, which are injected into the body to stimulate the production of antibodies. Vaccines are used to prevent and treat a wide variety of diseases, including polio, measles, hepatitis, and influenza.
Types of Vaccines
Vaccines are divided into two main types: live and inactivated. Live vaccines contain live, weakened forms of a virus or bacteria, while inactivated vaccines contain killed forms of the virus or bacteria. Live vaccines are more effective at stimulating the body’s immune system, but can cause more severe reactions than inactivated vaccines.
Number of Vaccines
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are currently more than 200 different vaccines available for use around the world. These vaccines protect against a range of diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, and influenza. In addition to these, there are also a number of experimental vaccines being developed to protect against other diseases, such as HIV and malaria.
Vaccine Development
The development of vaccines is a long and complex process, and often takes many years to complete. Vaccines must undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe and effective. Once a vaccine has been approved, it must be manufactured and distributed to healthcare providers and the public.
Conclusion
Vaccines are an important tool in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. There are currently more than 200 different vaccines available for use around the world, protecting against a range of diseases. Vaccine development is a long and complex process, and must undergo rigorous testing before it can be approved for use.