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Subunit Vaccines
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Antigen - A molecule that connects to a specific T-Cell/Antibody, and also triggers an immune response
Antibodies - Blood proteins that attack antigens (and if mixed with another substance, bacteria and viruses)
Poly - A chain of [something]
Protein Carrier - Carries protein across the membrane (basically the skin of the cell)
Synthesis - A chemical compound that reacts to natural materials
Carrier - A substance that supports another substance or transfers/carries it over.
Keywords
Overview - Subunit Vaccines
Subunit vaccines are a type vaccine that use parts of the purified virus which are antigenic.
There are 3 types of Subunit vaccines; the protein Subunit vaccines (used for COVID-19), the Polysaccharides vaccine (used for Pneumococcal disease), and the Conjugate subunit vaccine.
Protein Subunit vaccines
Protein
Subunit
Vaccines
The protein Subunits have disconnected proteins from viruses and have a polypeptide (part of a protein molecule) chain that connects with other protein molecules to form into a protein complex. They are taken out from viruses, which often use small amounts of protein subunits as stepping stones. The proteins of the virus trigger an immune response without needing the bacteria/virus involved. The protein subunit is supposed to “pretend” to be the virus, so the immune system is prepared to defend against the virus if it comes.
Another way (using proteins) to defend against viruses, needs the protein to self-build into a nanoparticle. Researchers are currently working towards making part virus particles into whole virus particles. This will allow a stronger reaction in the immune system.
Another way
RNA - Codes Amino Acids and transfers info from DNA to ribosomes to make proteins
Ribosomes - Has RNA and uses proteins to create/produce more proteins
Conjugate Vaccines
As I mentioned in Polysaccharide vaccines, there are certain antigens that are covered in Polysaccharide, thus it is often ineffective by itself.
Conjugate vaccines actively link to the antigen. which allows the antigen to connect to the Polysaccharide, and then the immune system responds.
Conjugate
Vaccines
Most vaccines only use one antigen (typically a weak antigen so it doesn't accidentally weaken the immune system, especially for children). but the Conjugate vaccine uses a strong antigen and then a weak one so the immune system is able to defeat the pair. (usually, the weak antigen is a Polysaccharide that is connected to the strong protein antigen)
Stated in the facts above, even when conjugate vaccines work fine by themselves, they are often paired with Peptide/protein and protein/protein conjugates in order to improve efficiency.
Most
For bacteria covered with Polysaccharide, the immune system creates B cells instead of T cells, hence, protein carriers can help trigger a T cell production. The T cells are caused by MHC (molecules that have genetic coding which produce proteins), but MHC needs peptide carriers because MHC cannot link with Polysaccharide.
For Bacteria
Polysaccharide Vaccine
The Polysaccharide vaccine triggers the immune system to produce B cells (a white blood cell) by using Polysaccharide-covered antigens which also leads to creating more antibodies. Plus, it improves ingestion and kills viruses by phagocytes (an immune cell that destroys cellular debris).
Polysaccharide
Vaccines
Improved
Improved immunity in these vaccines are developed by conjoining the vaccine to a protein carrier, resulting in immunity in infants being significantly higher.
Researchers have also discovered that compared to type A vs type C in each capsular version of the Polysaccharide vaccine, type C was proved to be ineffective in young children and adults. Although type A was effective with young children, they would need more doses to provide better immunity.
Plasmid - DNA molecule found in bacteria
Gene - Made of DNA, and sometimes make proteins
Nucleus - A structure enclosed by the membrane that has your chromosomes
Can Subunit Vaccines cause disease?
Disease
No, they cannot. Even though some of the side effects of subunit vaccines do give you symptoms of the cold/flu, they are unable to cause disease because the subunit vaccines use purified proteins of the parasite/virus/disease and not the whole virus. These are much safer compared to other vaccines in history that use whole virus. If the vaccine is live and holds live organisms, then it can give you side effects that shouldn’t be too strong. Hence, unless you are pregnant or old or have problems already, you're safe. These types of vaccines are already monitored by professionals to keep bacteria away.
An event
An event after your immunization may cause the disease (for example, the COVID-19 vaccine takes 2 weeks to give you full protection). You should also reject certain vaccines because of your status and because of the partial pathogen amount might overwhelm your immune system.
There is a chance that you might get the disease even if you are vaccinated from it, like the oral polio vaccine, it’s still possible to get polio because it can mutate but it’s already banned globally anyway (or at least in the US).
Boosters
Subunit vaccines don’t give you full immunity during the first dose. It’s because they don’t use the whole virus/live bacteria in their vaccines which is stronger. Thus, you need 2 doses of the Pfizer/Pfizer or Pfizer/Moderna vaccines separate from each other. Now that COVID-19 has been mutating rapidly (as we now have delta and the omicron variant) the government of Canada has been raiding my Spotify and YouTube advertisements with booster shots.
Booster
Shots
Booster shots are exactly what they say they are, they’re boosters for your immune system. Your antibodies can attack any antigens/virus that will attack, and after, the remaining antibodies will wait for the actual illness to come. Over time, those antibodies will fade away (especially for people who received the vaccine early and would leave the immune system unprepared for mutations). Booster shots will prepare your body for more crime-fighting and your immune system will create more antibodies in paranoia. Also, the enhanced production of memory B cells, and killer T cells play a huge part in our immune system.
Unlike Subunit vaccines, live attenuated vaccines are typically stronger and do not require boosters or a second dose. Another factor to consider is the number of mutations I mentioned above. Even besides that, other vaccines such as the Tdap vaccine requires you to take a booster every 10 years. Thus, we need booster shots for enhanced security.
Unlike
Since Subunit vaccines and vaccines in general are AT LEAST partially pathogenic, some people with weak immune systems and are in fragile condition are warned by many articles not to receive specific vaccines. Some of the main ingredients of Subunit vaccines (The ingredients have parts of the virus, like the protein or Polysaccharide) and especially live vaccines, cannot be tolerated by the weakened immune system. Another obstacle in Subunit vaccines is allergies (such as PEG or Polysorbate in COVID-19 vaccines) (Polysorbate helps essential oils dissolve into water-based products).
allergies
Our first Subunit vaccine to analyze is the Hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is a liver disease that is transferred by blood contact, semen contact, even saliva contact, getting tattoos, and heavy drug use. Hepatitis B is hard to avoid and recognize because the symptoms typically aren’t noticed until several months' top decades later, and then they start to notice liver inflammation and severe liver disease (cirrhosis), and even liver cancer. The Hepatitis B vaccine is made by taking the proteins of the virus and then putting it in the yeast cells.
First
Another HBV vaccine is the recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine. It replaces plasma and the HBsAg (the surrounding antigen of the HBV, also a blood test to see if you have HBV) goes into your yeast cells and Mammalian cells (which produces protein). This helps because the new HBV vaccine is easy to mass-produce, plus they have Spike proteins. The HBsAg protein builds itself so it can imitate the virus.
Another
The ingredients include antigens, some aluminum, yeast proteins, formaldehyde (an organic compound that kills the virus), salt (which controls the acidity), and borax. Latex is also used to wrap this vaccine, and I know (thank you, social media) that some people are allergic to it. Regardless, the HBV vaccine is extremely safe to take, and it can even be injected to pregnant women and elderly individuals.
The
Secondly, we have our Polysaccharide Subunit vaccine, the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide vaccine. Pneumococcal disease is not a specific disease (but it can be) but an umbrella term for other illnesses caused by a bacteria type called pneumococcus. It can cause ear, sinus, bloodstream infections (Bacteremia), meningitis (which is an infection which affects the tissue between the brain and spinal cord), and it can even cause Pneumonia. There are two types of vaccines for this disease, the conjugate vaccine, which has three types, and the Polysaccharide vaccine.
Second
The first type of Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is the PCV13. This vaccine has a purified capsular (like, a case) of 13 types of bacteria (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 19A, 19F, 18C, and 23F) in the pneumococcus. It’s combined to a harmless version of diphtheria (a disease that covers your throat and tonsils in a gray layer) toxin called CRM197 (a carrier protein for polysaccharides). It has polysaccharide from type 6b, polysorbate 80, aluminum as aluminum phosphate (a chemical compound) adjuvant, and succinate buffer (a dicarboxylic acid) (dicarboxylic acid is a compound of 2 carboxylic groups). It’s for children/infants/teenagers, but infants usually receive 4 shots at 2, 4, and 12-15 months. It can also be used for older children if they don’t get it, and it can only be transmitted through one dose in children 6-18.
The First
Another type of Pneumococcal vaccine is the Polysaccharide vaccine. There is one type, PPSV23. It has purified pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide, polysaccharide antigens, phenol (another organic compound that’s a preservative).
Second
Conclusion
In summary, Subunit vaccines are useful for protecting the public against diseases like COVID. Subunit vaccines are a safe procedure which protects us against disease, therefore, it's pros outweighs it's cons. Even if additional booster shots encouraged by the government are deemed "unnecessary", they are still important for security and safety measures. Concerns about allergy and status restrictions are acknowledged, as well as the quality of vaccine, which is carefully studied and completely trustworthy. In conclusion, even with all the flaws of Subunit vaccines, modern technology has definitely refined the way scientists approach illness.