What type of vaccine is used for Tb?

The use of a live attenuated vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) is based on the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is derived from a weakened strain of Mycobacterium bovis. This vaccine is designed to elicit an immune response that can help protect individuals from developing active TB disease after exposure to the bacteria. Live attenuated vaccines are useful because they generally provide a strong and lasting immune response, often with the potential to simulate a natural infection without causing the disease itself.

In the case of TB, the BCG vaccine has been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of severe forms of TB, especially in children, although its effectiveness in preventing pulmonary TB in adults is variable. The strategy of using a live attenuated vaccine is focused on promoting cellular immunity, which is essential for controlling infections caused by intracellular pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The other vaccine types listed, such as inactivated vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, and DNA-based vaccines, are different approaches with their own mechanisms and are used for various diseases but are not the primary method for TB vaccination. Inactivated vaccines typically contain killed pathogens, while recombinant protein vaccines use components from the pathogen to stimulate an immune response, and DNA-based