What does a vaccine contain?

Short answer: Dead and/or inactive pathogens. Explanation (also to a further question: "How does this prevent infection later?") : Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease. When the body is exposed to dead or weakened forms of these microorganisms in a vaccine, your white blood cells are stimulated to create antibodies specific to that pathogen. If you are then exposed to the same pathogen, later on, your body will easily recognize it and be able to quickly produce a large number of antibodies again to fight off the infection.

MS
Answered by Maximilian S. Biology tutor

2977 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is an enzyme? and why are they so important for reactions to take place?


what is osmosis and give an example?


What is phagocytosis?


Josie walks into her house from outside, as she enters a dark room, a spider falls in front of her face, describe the changes that occur in the eye to visualise a close up object in the dark.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning