Vaccines
Definition
Vaccines are substances used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
Analogy
Consider vaccines as training sessions for your immune system's soldiers. They introduce a harmless version of the enemy so your soldiers can learn how to fight it off, preparing them for a real battle.
Related terms
Immunity: The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
Herd Immunity: A form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune.
Inoculation: The introduction of an antigenic substance or vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
"Vaccines" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- How did medical advancements such as vaccines affect population growth rates globally post-1900s?
Resources
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