Question

How did vaccinations develop? How do they work? Explain with detail to demonstrate knowledge of the adaptive immunity process. What are some of the most common complaints about vaccinations? Are they valid? Why or why not? No handwritten responses or pictures. PLease type text out. w4

Answer 1

vaccines provide active acquired immunity. Vaccines are biological preparations of a pathogen which elicit an immune response in the host. They can be heat killed or live attenuated. They serve as potent immunogens but not as pathogens.

Mechanism of action:
When a person is vaccinated, the proteins/immunogens in the vaccine are recognized by the host immune system and synthesizes antibodies against them. These immunogens are capable enough to trigger an immune response but do not cause disease. As a part of immune response, the host produces memory cells. These memory cells can produce neutralizing antibodies when the actual pathogen enters the host at a rapid pace (Secondary immuneresponse is faster than primary). It is like pre-conditioning the host for the attack of the pathogen.

Drawbacks:
There are several reports that vaccines have actually caused diseases.
This can happen if the vaccine is not properly prepared (heat-killed or improper attenuation)

Sometimes, vaccines do not provide immunity as they are cleared off from the host body.
Pathogens often evolve new strains which can evade the immune system.

Vaccines are not suggested for immunocomproised patients.