Vaccine is composed of various different components. It is shocking and scaring for some people when they read the list of ingredients in the vaccine. People comes in contact with many of the ingredient in the vaccine, either through exposure in everyday routine or through food consumed. Each ingredient consists only a small proportion of the whole vaccine.
Its important people realized the amount of ingredients used in a vaccine. Vaccines are measured in milliliters and majority of the active ingredients account for only half a milliliter, which is equivalent to half a drop of water.
Components of a Vaccine:
1) Antigens – used to cause the body to develop immunity.
2) Preservatives – Helps to prevent contamination.
3) Stabilizers - Help keep a longer life of the vaccine.
4) Adjuvants – Helps to stimulate the body’s response to the antigens. Helps the vaccine to be more effective.
5) Inactivating ingredients – Helps to disable or kill bacteria during the manufacturing process.
6) Growing medium – Helps to make enough of the virus to generate the vaccine.
1) Antigens – used to cause the body to develop immunity.
2) Preservatives – Helps to prevent contamination.
3) Stabilizers - Help keep a longer life of the vaccine.
4) Adjuvants – Helps to stimulate the body’s response to the antigens. Helps the vaccine to be more effective.
5) Inactivating ingredients – Helps to disable or kill bacteria during the manufacturing process.
6) Growing medium – Helps to make enough of the virus to generate the vaccine.
Common Ingredients in a Vaccine:
Aluminum Salts
- Added in vaccines as adjuvants which help the vaccine stimulate a better response.
- Commonly used in Hepatitis B, DTaP(Tetanus, Pertussis, Diphtheria) vaccines
- The following link does a great job showing the quantity's of aluminum in vaccines
http://www.chop.edu/service/vaccine-education-center/hot-topics/aluminum.html
Formaldehyde
- Used in vaccines to kill any unwanted viruses or bacteria
- Found in fruits such as pears and apricot and also coffee
- Naturally found in our body, needed for the synthesis of DNA and Amino Acids in our bodies
- Commonly used in DTaP, Hepatitis B, HiB, and Polio vaccines
- The following link does a great job showing the quantity's of formaldehyde in vaccines
http://www.chop.edu/service/vaccine-education-center/hot-topics/formaldehyde.html
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- Used as stabilizers in vaccines to maintain consistency during extreme heat, light, or humidity.
- Added in food to help enhance the taste of food
- Commonly used in MMR vaccine
Hydrochloric Acid
- Hydrochloric acid helps to acquire the right amount of pH for the vaccine to be effective
- Naturally found in your stomach
- Commonly used in the DTaP vaccine
Neomycin
- Common antibiotic, used to stop the growth of bacteria
- Commonly used in MMR, Polio, and Chicken Pox vaccines
Yeast Protein
- A culture media that helps grow the cells needed for the vaccines
- Commonly used in Hepatitis B and HiB vaccines