Passive immunization refers to injection of prepared antibodies into a person who has
either already been infected or is at risk of acquiring an infection. In this case the infected
person’s immune system is not actively protecting the body, hence the name passive
immunization. Examples of passive immunization include Rabies and Hepatitis A.
Types of Vaccines
1. In live attenuated vaccines, the organism in the vaccine is alive but unable to
infect a person with a normal immune system. Patients with impaired immunity-
such as those with immune deficiencies, on chemotherapy for cancer, or with
AIDS-and pregnant women must not be given live vaccines. Examples of live
attenuated vaccines are measles, mumps, rubella, and oral polio.
2. Inactivated or killed vaccines contain dead, but intact, organisms, so the immune
system can still recognize them. Most vaccines are inactivated.
Vaccines are usually given at multiple intervals because the immune system needs
several reminders to “boost” immunity. Specific vaccines are available for the following
infections:
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Disease: A bacterial illness acquired through inhalation of the infected particles. It causes
severe, life-threatening coughing spells (whooping cough), and possibly seizures and
brain damage. The bacteria usually live in the airways of adults with no or minimal
cough.
Vaccine: DTP
Interval: 2-, 4-, 6-, and 15 months and 5 years of age.
Tetanus
Disease: Tetanus is a bacterial infection acquired through dirty wound infection. Tetanus
causes severe and painful muscle contractions. The bacteria are abundant in the soil.
Vaccine: DTP
Interval: 2-, 4-, 6-, and 15 months, 5 years of age. The vaccine must be repeated every
10 years.
Polio
Disease: Polio is a viral infection involving the mouth and throat, and later the blood and
spinal cord. Approximately 10% of the infected people develop spinal cord infection,
causing muscle paralysis, usually one-sided.
Vaccine: OPV (oral=live) and Injected (inactivated); inactivated vaccine is given to
children with immunodeficiencies.
Interval: 2-, 4-, 6-, and 18 months and 5 years of age.
Measles
Mumps
Influenza Virus
Disease: Influenza is a viral infection of the upper- and lower respiratory tract. It can be
fatal in people with heart, lung, and other chronic diseases.
Vaccine: Flu shot; recommended for patients with heart and lung disease and residents of
nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Interval: yearly
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Also available, based on specific circumstances, are vaccines for the following:
Cholera: Cholera is a bacterial infection of the small intestine. It causes severe watery
diarrhea and dehydration that could lead to death. The vaccine is recommended for
travelers to Africa, Middle East, and the Far East.
Plague: Plague is a bacterial infection carried by rodents. It causes fever, skin sores,
enlarged lymph nodes, and if not treated, death. Humans are accidentally infected by
fleas that feed off the infected rodents. The vaccine is recommended for people traveling
to or working in areas where plague is prevalent.
Lyme Disease: Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection acquired through the bite of a tick
that feeds on deer. It causes rash, fever, and, left untreated, possible neurological or heart
damage. Vaccination is recommended to those who live in areas where deer population is
large and in contact with the human population.