How does immunization work?

Vaccines contain attenuated or inactive parts of a certain organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body.

A new generation of vaccines contain the blueprint for producing antigens rather than the antigen itself.

Regardless of whether the vaccine is made up of the antigen itself or the blueprint which induces the antigen producing, this weakened version will not cause the disease in the person receiving the vaccine, but it will prompt their immune system to respond much as it would have on its first reaction to the actual pathogen.

Some vaccines require multiple doses, given weeks or months apart. This is sometimes needed to allow for the production of long-lived antibodies and development of memory cells. In this way, the body is trained to fight the specific disease-causing organism, building up memory of the pathogen so as to rapidly fight it if and when exposed in the future. Therefore, When someone is vaccinated, they are very likely to be protected against the targeted disease.

Admittedly, no single vaccine provides 100% protection, and herd immunity does not provide full protection to those who cannot safely be vaccinated. But under the condition of herd immunity, these people will have substantial protection, thanks to those around them being vaccinated.

Vaccinating not only protects yourself, but also protects those who are unable to be vaccinated in the community. Thus, get vaccinated if you are able to.

• Reference:
• Who.int. 2021.?How do vaccines work?.
• [online] Available at: < https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work> [Accessed 19 May 2021].