Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Heterologous vaccine

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A heterologous vaccine (also known as a "Jennerian" vaccine) is a type of live vaccine where one pathogen is introduced in order to provide protection against a different one. The vaccines are pathogens of other animals that either do not cause disease or cause mild disease in the organism being treated.

Examples include:

  • historically, Jenner's administration of cowpox (vaccinia) to protect against smallpox (variola);
  • the administration of BCG vaccine made from Mycobacterium bovis to protect against human tuberculosis.
  • Like all live vaccines, it has the advantage that it replicates in the body, and therefore reduces the need for booster shots. It has the disadvantage that a potential pathogen is introduced into the body.

    It can be combined with the attenuation strategy in vaccine design.

    References

    Heterologous vaccine Wikipedia