Vaccination

• Some pathognes can make you ill before the immune system gets a chance to respond. Getting vaccinated against these diseases can greatly reduce the possibility of dying or suffering permanent harm because of these diseases
• How does vaccination work?

  1. Vaccine introduces dead or weakened microorganisms into the body
  2. White blood cells detect antigens on the microorganism

  EITHER

  1. Lymphocytes produce antibodies to the microorganism
  2. The microorganism is attacked, but is incapable of causing disease in its dead or weakened way

  OR

  1. Memory cells formed for the microorganisms antigens
  2. Booster vaccines sometimes needed
  3. The patient is now immune to that specific disease
• Why are boosters sometimes needed?

  To increase the number of memory cells and provide life-long immunity.
• Some parents may choose not to vaccinate their children because:

  • Concerns about potential side effects/adverse reactions.
  • Religious or cultural objections.
  • Not guaranteed to work
• Risk of child not being vaccinated:


  • Risk to the individual child of contracting a potentially life threatening infection (e.g. meningitis) .