Which of these vaccines is an inactivated vaccine?

The correct answer identifies DTaP as an inactivated vaccine. Inactivated vaccines are composed of pathogens that have been killed or inactivated so that they cannot cause disease but can still stimulate an immune response. DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, is made from inactivated components of the bacterium that causes pertussis and recombinant pieces from the other pathogens.

In comparison, VAR (varicella) is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the varicella virus that can still replicate to some extent without causing the illness. MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) is also a live attenuated vaccine, utilizing weakened forms of the viruses that cause these diseases to elicit an immune response. RV5 (rotavirus vaccine) contains live, attenuated viruses to protect against rotavirus infections.

Understanding the classification of these vaccines is crucial, as it influences how they are administered, the immune response they generate, and considerations surrounding their use in specific populations.