In outbreak situations, which type of vaccine is typically used?

In outbreak situations, live attenuated vaccines are typically favored due to their ability to elicit a strong and long-lasting immune response. These vaccines contain a version of the living microbe that has been weakened so that it cannot cause disease in healthy individuals. Because they closely mimic a natural infection, live attenuated vaccines tend to produce robust humoral (antibody-mediated) and cellular (T-cell mediated) immunity, which is crucial during an outbreak when rapid community immunity is necessary to control the spread of the disease.

Additionally, live attenuated vaccines often require fewer doses to achieve effective immunity compared to other types like inactivated or subunit vaccines, making them more practical for mass vaccination campaigns in outbreak scenarios. The quick immune response and durable protection make them a vital tool in managing and containing outbreaks effectively.