How do vaccine work in the human body?

In summary, vaccines activate the immune system to create memory cells that allow for a more effective response to a pathogen. They are composed of benign portions of the actual pathogen and multiple doses may be required for adequate memory. Vaccines also allow the body to create successful antibodies to fight off future invasions of the pathogen.
  • #1
kant
388
0
how does vaccine help the body develop the immunity that it needs?
 
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  • #2
Vaccines work by activating the immune system in various ways to allow specific immune cells to gain "memory". With this memory, the immune system produces a more effective response to the pathogen on the second time around. This is just a general explanation that scrapes the surface. If you want specific details, don't be afraid to ask.
 
  • #3
Usually a vaccine is composed of benign portions and/or quantities of the actual pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. Your immune system will be able to recognize the pathogen based on its previous exposure to the vaccine. Sometimes multiple doses of the vaccine are required over several months to ensure this memory is adequate. Your question is very broad, to the same effect if someone were to ask what is electricity.
 
  • #4
thanks a lot for the explanation
 
  • #5
When faced with a new pathogen, your immune system tries out different antibodies that will be successful in fighting it (new types of antibodies are created in a kind-of evolutionary process). Once a successful anti-body is created, your body is prepared to fight the next invasion of that pathogen. A vaccine contains either something similar to the germ or a 'dead' form of the virus so that your body has a chance to figure it out without having you actually get sick (i.e., many live germs will do you in before your immune system can figure out a defense).
 

Related to How do vaccine work in the human body?

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are medical products that are designed to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and provide immunity against a specific disease. They contain weakened or dead versions of disease-causing microorganisms that help the body recognize and fight off the actual disease in the future.

How do vaccines work in the human body?

Vaccines work by introducing a small and harmless amount of a disease-causing microorganism into the body. This triggers the immune system to produce antibodies, which are proteins that specifically recognize and fight off that microorganism. These antibodies remain in the body and provide immunity against the disease, in case the person is exposed to the actual disease in the future.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are generally considered safe. They go through rigorous testing and clinical trials before being approved for use. The potential side effects of vaccines are usually mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever. The benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the potential risks.

How long does immunity from vaccines last?

The duration of immunity from vaccines varies depending on the disease and the type of vaccine. Some vaccines provide lifelong immunity, while others may require booster shots to maintain protection. Additionally, the strength of a person's immune response to the vaccine can also affect the duration of immunity.

Why is it important to get vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated is important for both individual and public health. Vaccines help protect individuals from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. They also contribute to herd immunity, which occurs when a large portion of the population is immune to a disease, making it difficult for the disease to spread. This protects those who cannot get vaccinated, such as newborns or individuals with weakened immune systems.

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