Vaccination against diphtheria is a toxoid vaccine against inactivated toxin, therefore, the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Corynebacterium diphtheriae may be high even as prevalence of the disease itself is low.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diphtheria vaccine is a toxoid vaccine, which means it targets the toxin produced by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, rather than the bacteria itself. This can lead to a situation where the disease is controlled because the toxin that causes the symptoms is neutralized, but the bacteria can still be carried and spread by individuals who are asymptomatic, as their immune system does not target the bacteria directly.

Vaccination Against Diphtheria Is a Toxoid Vaccine Against Inactivated Toxin