Fish Immunology (1+1)

Unit 14 - Vaccine

14.4.Subunit Vaccines

Subunit vaccines are the purified antigens of the whole organisms. These antigens are capable of stimulating antibody response. Subunit vaccines may contain toxoids, subcellular fragments, or surface antigens. The effect of subunit vaccine can be increased by administrating these subunits with adjuvants.
Advantages

• They can be safely administrated to the immunosuppressed animal.
• The side effects caused by sub unit vaccines are very rare.

Disadvantages

• Since the vaccines are purified the purification process may affect antigen in retaining its native form, so the organism may not recognize the antigen on pathogen.
• These proteins may not stimulate the immune response.