Understanding Toxoids in Vaccination

A toxoid is an inactivated toxin produced by a bacterium. It is used in vaccines to stimulate an immune response without causing disease. The body produces antibodies against the toxoid, providing protection against the actual toxin if exposed.

Toxoid Vaccines in National Immunization Schedule

The National Immunization Schedule (NIS) utilizes toxoids for specific preventable diseases. Let's examine the options:

• Pertussis: While often given as part of the DTP vaccine, the component protecting against pertussis is typically acellular or whole-cell bacterial components, not primarily a toxoid.
• Diphtheria: Diphtheria is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The vaccine uses diphtheria toxoid (inactivated diphtheria toxin) to protect against this disease. It is a core component of the DTP, DT, and Td vaccines used in the NIS.
• Hepatitis B: The Hepatitis B vaccine is a subunit vaccine, using a surface protein (HBsAg) of the virus, not a toxoid.
• Measles: The measles vaccine is a live-attenuated virus vaccine.

Conclusion on Toxoid Use

Based on the function of toxoids and the components used in the National Immunization Schedule, a toxoid is specifically used for protection against Diphtheria.