Subunit vaccines

Subunit vaccines contain only specific parts of a virus or bacteria, such as proteins or sugars, instead of the entire microorganism. These components are enough to trigger the immune system to recognize and fight the pathogen if encountered in the future. Because they do not contain living parts, they are safer and have fewer side effects. Examples include the hepatitis B vaccine and some forms of the HPV vaccine. Subunit vaccines are: safe, targeted, and often require booster shots to maintain immunity. They are an effective way to protect against certain infectious diseases.