Science glossary film: Vaccine

A preparation that can protect against a specific disease. Vaccines typically contain killed or modified versions of the disease-causing microorganism. This is enough to stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the disease, but not to cause the disease itself. If a vaccinated individual later becomes infected with the full live pathogen, the immune system responds more strongly against it.

Vaccines typically contain killed or modified versions of the disease-causing microorganism. This is enough to stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the disease, but not to cause the disease itself. If a vaccinated individual later becomes infected with the full live pathogen, the immune system responds more strongly against it.