How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine contains a dead or inactive (an therefore harmless) form of a pathogen. By injecting this into the body, an immune response is triggered and white blood cells produce antibodies specific to the antigens on the pathogen. This way, when an active form of the pathogen enters the body, the white blood cells can quickly produce the specific antibodies and destroy the pathogen.

TP
Answered by Tianna P. Biology tutor

5017 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain how a protein is synthesised


Explain how carbon is cycled in the environment, including the role of all living organisms and the use of fossil fuels.


What are the key features of eukaryote DNA?


A patient has the cold, explain to them why antibiotics can only be used to treat certain types of infection and the issues that develop when antibiotics are used too much.


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences