Vaccination and Immunity Flashcards

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Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is vaccination?

Vaccination is giving a person a vaccine to protect them from a disease.

What does a vaccine usually contain?

A vaccine usually contains dead or weakened pathogens, or just their antigens, which are safe but still trigger an immune response.

What is an antigen?

An antigen is a substance, often a protein on a pathogen, that is recognised by white blood cells as foreign.

How does vaccination help your body make memory cells?

The antigens in the vaccine make white blood cells produce antibodies and memory lymphocytes without you getting ill.

What are memory lymphocytes (memory cells)?

Memory lymphocytes are long‑lasting white blood cells that stay in the body and can quickly make antibodies if the same pathogen enters again.

Why does a vaccinated person usually not get ill if they catch the real pathogen?

Their memory cells recognise the antigens and quickly make lots of antibodies, killing the pathogen before symptoms develop.

What is immunity?

Immunity is when your body can quickly destroy a pathogen so you do not develop symptoms of the disease.

What is active immunity?

Active immunity is when your own white blood cells make antibodies and memory cells after an infection or a vaccine.

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is when you are given ready‑made antibodies from another person or animal, for example in breast milk or an antibody injection.

Why are booster vaccinations sometimes needed?

Immunity can fade over time, so a booster dose reminds the immune system and increases the number of antibodies and memory cells.

What is herd immunity?

Herd immunity is when a high percentage of the population is vaccinated, so a disease cannot spread easily and even unvaccinated people are protected.

Why do we need new flu vaccines regularly?

The flu virus often changes its antigens, so old antibodies may not recognise it, and a new vaccine is needed to match the new strains.