Vaccines and Autoimmune Responses

While vaccines are generally safe, their impact on autoimmune responses is an area of ongoing research. Some vaccines may trigger an autoimmune response in susceptible individuals by causing immune cells to attack the body’s own tissues, a process known as molecular mimicry. This phenomenon can occasionally lead to vaccine-associated autoimmune disorders. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these responses is crucial to designing safer vaccines. Researchers focus on minimizing autoimmunity risks by selecting antigenic components that avoid cross-reactivity with host tissues, ultimately reducing the chances of triggering an autoimmune response while maintaining the vaccine's protective effects.