Fighting Disease - Vaccination

Question 1

What does a vaccination do?

Answer 1

Protects from future infections

Question 2

When you’re infected with a new [ ], it takes your white blood cells a few [ ] to learn how to deal with it. But by that time, you can be pretty [ ].

Answer 2

microorganism
days
ill

Question 3

Hoe do vaccinations work?

Answer 3

Involve injecting small amounts of dead or inactive microorganisms. These carry antigens, which cause your body to produce antibodies to attack them - even though the microorganism is harmless.

Question 4

What does the MMR vaccine vaccinate against?

Answer 4

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (all viruses)

Question 5

Once you have been vaccinated, what happens when the same type of microorganism enters your body?

Answer 5

The white blood cells can rapidly mass-produce antibodies to kill off the pathogen

Question 6

Why do people need booster injections?

Answer 6

Some vaccinations wear off over time. Booster injections are given to increase levels of antibodies again

Question 7

Describe 2 advantages of vaccinations

Answer 7

Vaccines have helped to control lots of infectious diseases that were once common in the UK.
Big outbreaks of disease (epidemics) can be prevented if a large percentage of the population is vaccinated.

Question 8

Describe 2 disadvantages of vaccinations

Answer 8

Vaccines don’t always work - they sometimes don’t give you immunity
You can have a bad reaction (swelling, fever etc.) to the vaccination although they are very rare