Animal cells are used to manufacture vaccines. Animals have been used in the production of vaccines since cow farms were established in the last 1800s to harvest cowpox virus from the infected underbelly of calves. With the evolution of microbiology, it was determined that viruses could only propagate (replicated) in the

Antibiotics are used in vaccines to prevent bacterial contamination during the manufacturing process. Antibiotics commonly used are gentamycin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B, chlortetracycline, and amphotericin B. All of these antibiotics can stimulate allergic reactions. Afluria: Hypersensitivity to neomycin or polymyxins. Agriflu: Hypersensitivity to kanamycin or neomycin. FluMist: Hypersensitivity to gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; children and adolescents 2 to

  Adventitious agents are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as microorganisms that may have been unintentionally introduced into the manufacturing process of a biological medicinal product: these include bacteria, fungi, mycoplasma/spiroplasma, mycobacteria, rickettsia, protozoa, parasites, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents and viruses. Adventitious agents could be inadvertently introduced

Shingles, also known at herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.The rash begins as a cluster of small red spots that often blister and can be exquisitely painful. The chickenpox virus (VZV) sometimes remains dormant in the sensory nerve ganglia after a chickenpox infection. The

Combination vaccines began to appear on the market in 2003, with the introduction of PEDIARIX. The first 5-in-1 vaccine was developed because parents were becoming wary of giving their tiny children five shots on one “well visit.” Pediarix is a combination of DTaP + Hepatitis B + polio, injecting seven

Tuberculosis or TB (short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases a lethal, infection caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. CDC – Cholera – Vibrio cholerae infection  Currently, there are two oral cholera vaccines available,

Adjuvants are chemicals added to a vaccine to increase the response and stimulate the immune system to generate a large amount of antibodies. Adjuvant comes from the Latin word, adjuvare, which means support. An adjuvant is “a substance which accelerates, prolongs and enhances the quality of a specific immune [meaning antibody] response

Additives are used in the manufacture of vaccines to prevent changes in the solution under adverse conditions, such as freeze-drying or heat. They help to prevent the antigens from adhering to the side of the vial. Vaccines also contain several reagents that are derived from animals. Excipients are considered to be

Throughout this site, abbreviations for common vaccines and government agencies are in the articles and posts. Many have been listed here. These abbreviations are also used in the VAERS database for searching. Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis-containing vaccines Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids adsorbed (children) DT several manufacturers Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids