Tag: Alum

For nearly a century, adjuvants have been a critical component of effective vaccines, with aluminum salts being safely used for over 90 years [1.7.2]. So, **what is the first adjuvant for human use?** The answer is **aluminum salts**, whose adjuvant effects were discovered in 1926 [1.3.5, 1.4.2].

For over 70 years, aluminum salts were the primary adjuvant used in licensed human vaccines. However, the answer to 'What are two classes of adjuvants?' reveals a broader field of pharmacology, primarily categorizing these immune boosters into delivery systems (particulate) and immune potentiators, based on their distinct mechanisms of action.

For nearly a century, aluminum salts have been the most frequently included adjuvant in human vaccines, with about one-third of currently licensed vaccines containing them. This longevity is a testament to its long-established safety record and efficacy in enhancing immune responses to various antigens. The widespread use of these compounds answers the question: **What is the most common adjuvant?** and highlights their foundational role in modern pharmacology.

Over 70 years of clinical use have established the safety of aluminum salts, a prime example of an adjuvant, in vaccines for boosting the body's immune response. These substances play a crucial role across pharmacology, from enhancing vaccine efficacy to improving pain management.