How do vaccines work?

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Vaccines contain dead, weakened, or partial forms of pathogens.

**remember, pathogens are invaders that don't belong in our bodies!

What's in a vaccine?

Dr. Edward Jenner created the world's first successful vaccine. He found out that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox. In May 1796, English physician Edward Jenner expands on this discovery and inoculates (essentially, vaccinates) 8-year-old James Phipps with matter collected from a cowpox sore on the hand of a milkmaid. James then developed immunity to cowpox and smallpox from this!

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The first vaccine

But how does this work??

Recall how the immune system works.

​*Remember, antigens are how our bodies identify cells!

​Helper T-Cells are special cells in our immune system that can assist in communication with other cells.

1. The immune system recognizes the pathogen

2. Immune system builds up a defense against the pathogen by creating antibodies (this can take several days to do) and increasing the number of white blood cells.

3. Immune system destroys the pathogen.

4. Memory Cells are created that "remember" how to attack the pathogen if exposed again in the future!

​In Summary...

The weakened, dead or partial pathogens present in a vaccine aren't able to cause disease.

BUT they do trigger an immune response - this is why you may feel some symptoms associated with sickness when you get a vaccine (sore arm, mild fever, etc.).

This is all part of your immune system working to develop a defense and MEMORY CELLS to protect you from the pathogen if exposed to it in the future.

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Vaccines activate the immune system!

This example was done to show you how vaccines work.

By introducing your body to the shape and design of germs, your body knows to attack them when they immediately appear.

Identifying the germ

After being exposed to a germ, your immune system stores it in its memory. If can identify the imposter immediately.

Developing Immunity

Once exposed to a germ, your immune system remembers how it looks like and knows to take it out soon before it multiplies and spreads throughout your body.

Your immune system attacks it immediately.

Just like Superman's weakness is kryptonite, germs have weaknesses too

Antibodies are germ's weakness

In conclusion

Vaccines help our body develop antibodies to keep us healthy.