What is vaccination?
Vaccination is the process of giving a vaccine to a person to protect them from infectious diseases. Vaccines help the immune system recognize and fight harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria.
Vaccination prepares the body to defend itself against future infections.
A vaccine is a biological preparation that contains:
Weakened or killed microorganisms
Parts of microorganisms
Substances that stimulate immunity
Vaccines do not usually cause the disease but help the body develop protection.
Vaccine enters the body
The immune system recognizes foreign substances called antigens
The body produces antibodies
Memory cells are formed
If the real pathogen enters later, the body fights it quickly
Vaccines help prevent diseases such as:
Polio
Measles
Tuberculosis
Hepatitis
COVID-19
Tetanus
Vaccination is important because it:
Protects individuals from serious diseases
Reduces spread of infections
Strengthens immunity
Prevents outbreaks and epidemics
Saves lives
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Live attenuated vaccines | Contain weakened microorganisms |
| Inactivated vaccines | Contain killed microorganisms |
| Toxoid vaccines | Contain inactivated toxins |
| mRNA and modern vaccines | Use genetic instructions to stimulate immunity |
Large-scale vaccination programs help create herd immunity, where most people in a community become protected, reducing disease spread.
Vaccination is one of the most effective methods of disease prevention.