How do Vaccinations Work: (I&R)

• Process of vaccination:

  • A small amount of dead or inactive pathogen is injected into the body
  • The pathogen has an antigen on its surface
  • White blood cells detect these antigens as a foreign body
  • White blood cells produce antibodies which lock onto the antigens, destroying the pathogen
  • Memory white blood cells are produced in case the pathogen re-enters the body
• Memory white blood cells:

  • Are produced to prevent re-infection
  • Antibodies are mass-produced very quickly to prevent re-infection