Toxoid Vaccines

Toxoid vaccines are vaccines that are made from the toxins (harmful chemicals) from bacteria.

There are some bacteria that cause disease through releasing a protein called a toxin. Scientists can inactivate these toxins in the lab using a chemical called formalin (a solution of formaldehyde) and sterilized water, which are completely safe to use in small quantities in the human body.

Once the toxin is inactivated, it’s called a toxoid, and it can no longer cause harm. The body learns how to fight off the bacteria’s natural toxin once exposed to the toxoid through producing antibodies that bind into the toxin like keys into a lock.