Where do the viruses and or bacteria used in vaccines come from?
Answer:
The viruses are cultured in cells. Usually cells from chick embryos are used. Once the virus is cultured in enough quantity, it is attenuated or deactivated, usually with heat, so that it is not infectious. The factories that make vaccines are held to the highest quality control standards.
In 1963, a researcher named Dr. Maurice Hilleman cultured the mumps virus from his daughter Jeryl Lynn. The Jeryl Lynn strain of the mumps virus is the strain that has been developed to manufacture the mumps vaccine used today.
Alas, most origins of viral vaccines remain obscure. For an early history of bacterial vaccines read "Microbe Hunters" by Paul deKruif. There are interesting stories about Cotton Mather, the religious leader, and his role in smallpox immunization.
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