Adjuvants

Substances added to vaccines to enhance the immune response, allowing for smaller antigen doses or fewer shots.

What Are Adjuvants?

Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to boost the body's immune response to the vaccine's antigen. They are particularly useful for:

  • Strengthening immune response in older adults
  • Reducing the amount of antigen needed per dose
  • Enhancing response in people with weakened immune systems
  • Allowing fewer doses for primary vaccination series

Adjuvants have been used in vaccines for decades and have an excellent safety record.

Common Adjuvants

Aluminum Salts (Alum)

Most widely used adjuvant in vaccines. Used since the 1930s. Found in DTaP, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, and others. Typically 0.125-0.625 mg per dose.

AS04 (Aluminum salt + MPL)

Combination adjuvant used in Hepatitis B (Fendrix, Supervax), HPV (Cervarix), and shingles (Shingrix). Provides stronger and longer-lasting immunity.

MF59 (Squalene oil-in-water emulsion)

Used in Fluad (adjuvanted flu vaccine) for adults 65+. Squalene is a natural substance found in plants and human blood.

Matrix-M (Saponin-based)

Used in Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and some malaria vaccines. Derived from tree bark extract.

Sources

Related Pages

Vaccine Ingredients Aluminum Controversy