Topic 6.3
How does your immune system respond to a vaccine, and why are memory cells so important?
Vaccines train your immune system to recognise and combat harmful pathogens without causing illness. Vaccines initiate a three-stage immune response: recognising the threat, producing antibodies, and forming memory cells that prepare your body for future encounters with the same pathogen.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines work by safely introducing a modified form of a pathogen into the body, allowing the immune system to recognise and build a defence against it. This process triggers the production of antibodies and memory cells specific to that pathogen. These antibodies act as frontline defenders, while memory cells stay vigilant, prepared to respond if the pathogen is encountered again.
Recognition
The immune system identifies the pathogen fragments in the vaccine as foreign and activates an immune response.
Antibody Production
Macrophages are like the body’s garbage collectors. They “eat” harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses and clean up dead cells to keep your body safe and tidy.
Memory Formation
The body creates memory cells, which “remember” the pathogen, enabling a faster, stronger response if the pathogen appears in the future.