Topic Six
How do vaccines help the immune system protect the body from infectious diseases?
Vaccines are a powerful tool in our fight against infectious diseases. By working with the immune system, vaccines help the body recognise and fight harmful pathogens before they can cause illness. This topic explores the science behind vaccines, their different types, and their critical role in protecting individuals and communities. You’ll also learn about herd immunity and discuss the ongoing debates surrounding vaccination.
LEARNING INTENTIONS
- Understand the function of vaccines in the immune system.
- Recognise different types of vaccines.
- Comprehend herd immunity and its protective role.
- Evaluate perspectives and debates on vaccination.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
- Explain how vaccines interact with the immune system to prevent disease.
- Describe different vaccine types and their purposes.
- Identify how herd immunity protects vulnerable individuals.
- Critically discuss varied opinions on vaccination.
Introduction to Vaccines
Vaccines are a vital defence against infectious diseases, working with our immune system to prevent illness.
In Topic 4, we explored how white blood cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, form a vital part of our innate immune system. These cells act as first responders, identifying and destroying harmful pathogens to protect the body from infection. White blood cells also play a key role in triggering inflammation and fever, helping to recruit more immune cells to the site of an infection.
This topic builds on those concepts by demonstrating how the immune system, including white blood cells, works to identify, attack, and remember specific pathogens. It also highlights the importance of vaccines in preparing our immune defences.