Vaccination

• What does vaccination involve?


  Introducing a small quantity of a dead or inactive pathogen into the body
• How is the vaccine typically introduced into the body?


  Via an injection
• What is contained within a vaccine?


  A dead and therefore safe pathogen
• What is the primary purpose of a vaccine?


  To protect a person from becoming infected or ill
• What is the first step in how vaccines provide protection?

  A dead or inactive pathogen is introduced into the body
• What do white blood cells do after vaccination?


  They are stimulated to produce antibodies against the pathogen
• What happens if the same pathogen re-enters the body after vaccination?


  The white blood cells can produce the correct antibodies rapidly
• Why do we have a rapid response to pathogens after vaccination?


  Because the antibodies remain in the body
• What does the graph showing antibody levels after vaccination indicate?


  Antibody levels rise after vaccination and the body remembers the pathogen
• Why might a booster vaccine be necessary?


  Antibodies decrease with time
• How do vaccines help stop diseases from spreading?


  More vaccinated people result in fewer infections and less spread
• What is the term used to describe the protection of unvaccinated individuals due to high vaccination rates?

  Herd immunity
• What is the relationship between vaccination rates and disease circulation?


  As more people are vaccinated, there is less disease in circulation
• What is the benefit of fewer people getting infected?


  It protects even those who are not vaccinated
• What are the steps involved in how vaccines provide protection?

  1. Dead or inactive pathogen is introduced into the body.
  2. White blood cells are stimulated to produce antibodies.
  3. If exposed to the pathogen again, white blood cells respond quickly to produce antibodies.
• What happens to antibody levels after vaccination?


  • Antibody levels rise after vaccination.
  • Antibodies decrease over time.
  • A booster or exposure to the pathogen can increase antibody concentration.
• How does vaccination contribute to herd immunity?


  • More vaccinated individuals lead to fewer infections.
  • Reduced spread of the pathogen protects unvaccinated individuals.
  • High vaccination rates decrease disease circulation.