Live vaccines are used to protect people from certain diseases by exposing them to a weakened or attenuated form of a specific virus or bacteria. Live vaccines can provide long-lasting immunity, are often more effective than killed vaccines, and generally require fewer doses than killed vaccines.
The main advantages of live vaccines are that they can provide long-lasting protection against a particular disease. Because live vaccines introduce a weakened form of the virus or bacteria into the body, they can stimulate the body's immune system to develop antibodies and a strong defense against the disease. The protection can last for many years or even a lifetime, and in some cases, just one dose of the vaccine can provide lifelong protection.
Live vaccines are also often more effective than killed vaccines. Because the weakened form of the virus or bacteria used in the live vaccine is able to replicate within the body, it can elicit a stronger immune response than killed vaccines, which rely on the host's immune system to recognize and respond to the vaccine. This means that live vaccines can provide better protection in a shorter period of time.
Finally, live vaccines often require fewer doses than killed vaccines. This is because live vaccines can elicit a stronger and longer-lasting immune response than killed vaccines, meaning that fewer doses are needed to achieve immunity against the disease in question. This can be beneficial for both individuals and public health programs, as it reduces the need for repeated vaccinations and lowers the cost of immunization programs.