Vitamin Information Center

Basic Immunization
Synonyms
Basic vaccination
Definition
In order to achieve immunity against one or several
pathogens, it is necessary to administer a certain number
of injections of the  vaccine following a fixed
procedure. The initial implementation of a course of
vaccination is known as basic immunization. Subsequent
vaccinations serve to boost the immune protection.
Basic immunization is only complete when all of
the vaccinations included in the procedure have been
administered. However, in the case that the recommended
time intervals have been exceeded, it is not
necessary to restart the procedure or to repeat the single
vaccinations. Each vaccination counts. Therefore in
order to complete the basic immunization, it is only
necessary to administer the missing vaccinations

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
Vaccination
Synonyms
Bacille Calmette-Guérin immunization; Vaccination
against tuberculosis (tbc); Immunization against tuberculosis
(tbc)
Definition
Immunization against Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
was developed in the 1930s, using a live, weakened
strain of Mycobacterium bovis, which is similar to the
germ causing tuberculosis in humans (Mycobacterium
tuberculosis).While tuberculosis is no problem in many
countries, and thus vaccination is not recommended
there, it is highly prevalent in other areas of the world.
In countries with high rates of tuberculosis, BCG vaccination
should preferably be performed at time of birth
as a single intradermal injection.After correct injection,
an induration of the skin and afterwards a small scar
develops at the needle site. The protection rate achieved
by BCG vaccination is 70–80%. In all individuals older
than six months, a tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test)
should be carried through prior to BCG immunization
to find out if the person has already come into contact
with tuberculosis. In this test a small amount of tuberculin
units is inoculated by an intradermal injection.
The induration has to be measured by a trained person
48–72 hours after administration, with a red lump
> 5mm meaning a positive result. Contraindications for
BCG vaccination are prior tuberculosis, acute illness
with fever, generalized skin disease and immunodeficiency.
 Immunization, Active

Antibodies
Synonyms
Immune globulins; Immunoglobulins
Definition
Antibodies or immune globulins are proteins which
react specifically against substances foreign to the
organism. Their structure was described first in 1959
by G. Edelmann and R. Porter. From all immune globulins
the types IgG, IgM, IgD, IgA and IgE can be differentiated.
While IgD and IgE do not play a role in
the defence of infectious diseases, IgA has an important
function concerning non-specific defence mechanisms,
particularly in viral infections. The immune globulins
of the types G and M interact specifically with the different
pathogens. As IgM is responsible for the primary
immune response, it is the first immune globulin
detected in the blood after contact with a pathogen. IgG
is produced a little later. This type of immune globulin,
which reacts very specifically against the antigen,
becomes part of the immune memory. If there is a new
contact with the same pathogen defence mechanisms
are quickly available. In contrast to IgM antibodies,
antibodies of the IgG type can pass through the placenta
and thus protect the unborn baby in the womb from a number of infectious diseases (see also  nest protection).
Cross-References
 Immunization, Passive