why do most vaccines come in an injection form and not a pill? and please, it is imperative that you cite a source. thx.
2006-12-08 04:42:43 · 6 answers · asked by tmlfan 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
k, you dont HAVE to cite a source, but it would be nice
2006-12-08 04:49:02 · update #1
Most vaccines are made up of either weakened viruses/killed viruses, or bacterial proteins. Regardless, all of these things are composed of protein which can become denatured (changed from their original shape/purpose) in the acid of the stomach.
In order for the vaccine to work, it is essential that your immune system is exposed to the viral or bacterial protein of which the vaccine is composed. This is most frequently accomplished by delivering the vaccine intra-muscularly. The perfect example of this is the influenza vaccine.
To my knowledge, no vaccine is injected into the blood. However, there are some vaccines that are administered by mouth - these are usually vaccines for bacteria that infect your gastrointestinal tract, and they immunize by exposing the immune cells in the lining of your GI tract to a low, safe (ie. not enough to infect) dose of the bacteria. An example of this is one form of the vaccine for Typhoid.
2006-12-08 05:10:15 · answer #1 · answered by Wondering 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had a pony who was bad for shots, as well. I do not believe that you can get horse vaccines in pill form. Strangles can come in a non-injectible form, though. I'm not sure if that is an oral vaccine or one that goes in the nostril.
2016-05-23 06:49:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vaccine is an inert version of a virus, a weak dose of a disease so your body will be able to build up a defense to it
Your stomach is full of acids and already existing defenses. Passing a vaccine through that would probably not work
2006-12-08 04:51:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Vaccines are weakened or killed viruses. If they were taken in pill form your stomach would digest them or destroy them. Putting them directly into the body puts them where the mechanism is to make the antibodies from them.
2006-12-08 05:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because vaccines contain modified or dead versions of the desease they are meant to prevent. We are talking about micro organisms here. It would destroy the vaccine if processed into pill form.
2006-12-08 04:54:38 · answer #5 · answered by Chic 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is more effective more when you take the shot since it goes striaght your blood, if u take a pill, it would be to strong when it goes directly to ur stomach!
2006-12-08 04:51:25 · answer #6 · answered by Bob the Cat.™ 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋