Immunity and vaccination
I can describe what a vaccine is and how a vaccination works to create immunity.
Immunity and vaccination
I can describe what a vaccine is and how a vaccination works to create immunity.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- After exposure to a pathogen, memory cells remain in the body to provide immunity.
- Vaccination creates immunity by injecting a small amount of a dead or inactivated pathogen in a vaccine into the body.
- White blood cells mount an immune response by producing antibodies against the pathogen in the vaccine.
- Some of the white blood cells stay in the body as memory cells to provide immunity to the pathogen in the vaccine.
- Upon reinfection by the pathogen, memory cells respond by rapidly making antibodies against the pathogen.
Common misconception
Antibodies remain in the blood for years, which makes a person immune to a disease.
Antibodies don't stay in the body longer term, the memory cells do and they provide long lasting immunity against a pathogen.
Keywords
Immunity - Immunity is established after the body is first exposed to a pathogen's antigens, and enables white blood cells to respond quickly to the antigen when the body is re-exposed to it.
Antibodies - Proteins produced by white blood cells against specific pathogens.
Memory cells - White blood cells that remain in the blood and give lasting immunity to certain pathogens.
Vaccine - A formulation that contains an inactive pathogen, or parts of it.
Vaccination - The process of administering a vaccine to an individual to create immunity to a pathogen.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
produced by white blood cells to neutralise harmful chemicals
produced by some pathogens and make us feel unwell
molecule found on the surface of all cells
produced by white blood cells and causes pathogens to clump together
can engulf and digest pathogens
can make specific antibodies that bind to antigens
infects the body and causes symptoms of illness