Inactivated vaccines differ from live vaccines because they:
Inactivated vaccines fundamentally differ from live attenuated vaccines because they cannot replicate within host tissues. Inactivation achieved by chemical agents formaldehyde crosslinking proteins, beta-propiolactone alkylating nucleic acids, heat denaturation destroying polymerase enzymes, while preserving epitopes for antibody recognition. Because genome destroyed, no progeny virions produced, infection cycle aborted, inability to cause disease even if host immunocompromised. Immunologically absence of cytosolic replication reduces engagement of RIG-I, MDA5 cytosolic sensors sensing replic
Ref: Baxter J Clin Virol 2007 Inactivated cannot replicate; Plotkin Inactivated vs Live difference; CDC.