What is the purpose of a vaccine's adjuvant?

The primary purpose of a vaccine's adjuvant is to boost the effectiveness of the vaccine. Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance the body's immune response to the provided antigen, which is the part of the vaccine that prompts the immune system to recognize and fight the pathogen. By incorporating adjuvants, vaccines can elicit a stronger and more prolonged immune response, creating better protection against diseases.

This is particularly important when the antigen alone may not be sufficiently immunogenic to provoke a strong response. Adjuvants can also facilitate the use of smaller amounts of the antigen, which can help in vaccine formulation and distribution. Enhancing vaccine effectiveness through adjuvants has been crucial in developing vaccines for various diseases, making them more reliable in providing immunity.