Vaccination

Definition

Vaccination is the process of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity against a specific infectious disease. It stimulates the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body.
2. Live attenuated vaccines use a weakened form of the germ that causes a disease, while inactivated vaccines use the killed version of the germ.
3. mRNA vaccines, like those developed for COVID-19, provide instructions for cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response.
4. Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely.
5. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in coordinating global vaccination efforts and setting standards.

Review Questions

• What is the primary purpose of vaccination?
• How do mRNA vaccines differ from traditional live attenuated or inactivated vaccines?
• What is herd immunity and how does vaccination contribute to it?

Related terms

Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response, often part of a pathogen.

Herd Immunity:

Resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population due to high levels of immunity.

Booster Shot: An additional dose of a vaccine needed periodically to 'boost' the immune system.