vaccination

• How VACCINATIONS Work:


  • VACCINATIONS work by introducing DEAD or INACTIVE pathogens into the body.
  • These pathogens carry ANTIGENS which prompt the LYMPHOCYTES to produce ANTIBODIES without the actual disease occurring.
  • The lymphocytes stay in the body as MEMORY CELLS, so if the actual pathogen was to ever enter the body, they would RAPIDLY produce a LARGE VOLUME of antibodies to eradicate the pathogens and prevent illness.
• The MMR VACCINE is an example of a vaccine that combines weakened versions of the viruses causing measles, mumps, and rubella.
• ADVANTAGES of vaccines:

  • control and eradication of diseases
  • prevent epidemics via herd immunity, when a large population is vaccinated it protects those who cannot be vaccinated.
• DISADVANTAGES of vaccines:


  • not always guaranteed immunity, some vaccines offer varying degrees of protection and you may need a booster shot
  • risk of side effects