A vaccine that may contain cellular material but does not contain complete cells.

A passive immunization, which is defined as the transfer of active antibodies from an immunized individual (like a mother) to a non-immunized one (her baby).

Any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An adverse event can therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding, for example), symptom or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product.

Abnormal reaction or increased sensitivity to certain antigens called allergens (e.g. eggs or pollens), which are not necessarily harmful in itself. After contact with this allergen, IgE massive amounts production is induced. Those immunoglobulins then active basophils and mast cells that release further chemicals, included histamine and prostaglandins. This in turn leads to an exaggerated inflammatory process.

Are produced by the human body to fight a specific infection

The part of a virus, bacteria or fungi (known as microbes) which causes the human body to react and activate the disease protection mechanism. It is usually part of the coating of the microbe. Antigen’s are unique to specific diseases

Mutation in the genetic material of microorganisms such as viruses, resulting in novel strains. Antigenic shift in influenza viruses can be associated with human pandemics, in population immunologically naïve to the new strain.

People infected by a pathogen without bearing any symptoms. However, they can transmit the pathogen.

Cells that are produced by the bone marrow which, when stimulated by an antigen, become either a memory cell or a plasma cell (plasmocyte) that produces antibodies against that antigen.

Independent organisms capable of multiplying autonomously.

The vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which bears the name of its discoverers, Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin.

Series of work practices, safety equipment, and facilities considered appropriate for agents that may be transmitted by the respiratory tract and cause serious infection (e.g. anthrax).

Also known and cell-mediated immunity, cellular response refers to an immune response that involves the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen.

Before a drug or medication is licensed it has to be tested for safety and efficacy (to see whether it produces the desired protection) on smaller groups of humans. This is called clinical testing or research.

Central nervous system.

A group of serum proteins involved in the control of inflammation, the activation of phagocytes and the lytic attack on cell membranes. The system can be activated by interaction with the immune system.

To attach a T-independent antigen to a carrier protein (or conjugate) that is recognized by the actors of the T-dependent pathway. Typical conjugate vaccines are polysaccharide vaccines.

How easily and quickly a disease, i.e. a microorganism, can spread from one person to another, depends on several factors.

Aims to locate every laboratory and vaccine manufacturer worldwide that stores wild poliovirus or potentially infectious material.

See Smallpox.

VDPV circulating in the environment that has regained the capacity to cause paralytic polio and cause outbreaks.

Type of T lymphocytes (mostly CD8) responsible for lysing target cells and for killing virus infected cells.

DNA is a double-stranded molecule held together by weak bonds between base pairs of nucleotides. The four nucleotides in DNA contain the bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). DNA is a nucleic acid.

Ability to reduce the incidence of disease as measured in specific clinical studies.

Disease (or agent) prevalent in population or geographic area at all times, at a relatively constant, predictable levels.