Topic 6.2
How does a vaccine help your immune system prepare to fight off infections?
Vaccines are powerful tools that train your immune system to recognise and fight infections before they can make you sick. By using different methods, from weakened pathogens to advanced mRNA technology, vaccines protect a wide range of diseases.
What is a Vaccine?
A vaccine contains a modified form of a pathogen that helps the immune system learn to fight infections without causing illness. Vaccines can include:
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Weakened or Inactivated Pathogens: Some vaccines use pathogens that are no longer active or have been weakened. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine uses weakened viruses.
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Antigens: In other vaccines, only a fragment, or antigen, from the pathogen is included to stimulate an immune response. The HPV vaccine contains antigens from the virus.
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Cutting-Edge DNA & mRNA Vaccines: New vaccines use genetic material like DNA or mRNA to help the body produce antigens, training the immune system without needing the whole pathogen. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are cutting-edge.
These methods prepare the immune system to identify and attack the pathogen if exposed in the future.
Vaccine Fun Facts
1. The Word “Vaccine” Comes from Cows! The word “vaccine” is derived from the Latin word vacca, meaning cow. This is because Edward Jenner used cowpox to create the first smallpox vaccine.
2. Vaccines Protect Herds Too—Literally! Vaccines don’t just help humans. Pets, farm animals, and even wildlife are vaccinated to protect them from diseases like rabies and foot-and-mouth disease.
3. The Flu Virus is a Shape-Shifter! The influenza virus changes so often that scientists create new flu vaccines every year to keep up with it.
4. DNA and mRNA Vaccines Are Like High-Tech Teachers! These modern vaccines teach your body to fight without using the actual germ, making them some of the safest vaccines ever developed.
5. Vaccines Can Save Money! Preventing diseases through vaccines is far cheaper than treating them, making vaccines a cost-effective solution for public health.