Definition: The most basic definition of an adjuvant is something that has an effect on another substance, usually assisting or potentiating. In a vaccine, such as the new H5N1 vaccines being researched, the purpose of an adjuvant is to stimulate the immune system to respond more strongly to an antigen than it normally would, resulting in the use of less antigen in each dose of vaccine.
Adjuvants and Companies Who Make Bird Flu Vaccines has further details regarding adjuvants and the companies who make them plus lists references to further information about adjuvants.
A very good adjuvant can mean that a fraction of the antigen can be used to stimulate the bodies defenses to create immunity to a disease. Since the antigen is the most expensive and difficult component to produce of a vaccine, good adjuvants can be the key to , bird flu or any other kind of vaccine quicker, cheaper and in greater quantities.
Some adjuvants are:
- aluminum hydroxide.
- QS21, a saponin extracted from the soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria)
- MF59, secret formula developed by Chiron having initial success in early stage of H5N1 vaccine development.
- Adjuvant from GlaxoSmithKline, name not disclosed. In an article from the Washington Post, that uses just 3.8 micrograms of antigen to produce a sufficient immune response in the body against the disease.
Common Misspellings: Ajuvant, Aduvant