How Vaccines Work
When disease germs enter your body, they start to reproduce. Your immune system recognizes these germs as foreign invaders and responds by making proteins called antibodies. These antibodies’ first job is to help destroy the germs that are making you sick. They can’t act fast enough to prevent you from becoming sick, but by eliminating the attacking germs, antibodies help you to get well.
The antibodies’ second job is to protect you from future infections. They remain in your bloodstream, and if the same germs ever try to infect you again — even after many years — they will come to your defense. Only now that they are experienced at fighting these particular germs, they can destroy them before they have a chance to make you sick. This is immunity. It is why most people get diseases like measles or chickenpox only once, even though they might be exposed many times during their lifetime.
Vaccines offer a solution to this problem. They help you develop immunity without getting sick first. Vaccines are made from the same germs (or parts of them) that cause disease; for example, polio vaccine is made from polio virus. But the germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won’t make you sick. Vaccines containing these weakened or killed germs are introduced into your body, usually by injection. Your immune system reacts to the vaccine in a similar way that it would if it were being invaded by the disease — by making antibodies. The antibodies destroy the vaccine germs just as they would the disease germs — like a training exercise. Then they stay in your body, giving you immunity. If you are ever exposed to the real disease, the antibodies are there to protect you.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, How Vaccines Prevent Disease
Nervous about getting your shots? That’s understandable!
If you or your child has sensory needs, Super Shot offers a sensory-friendly exam room with a bubble wall, dimmable lights, fidget toys, and comfortable seating. Please request this accommodation when you book your appointment or mention it to a staff member upon arrival.
Ask about our sensory-friendly exam room or try these helpful methods below:
Reliable Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Immunization Action Coalition
- National Foundation for Infectious Disease
- World Health Organization
- Voices for Vaccines
- Immunize for Good
- Shot by Shot
- Families Fighting Flu
- The Ft. Wayne Allen County Dept. of Health
- Indiana State Dept. of Health
- Indiana Immunization Coalition
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- The History of Vaccines
