How do vaccines work to prevent bacterial and viral infections?

Vaccines are a critical tool in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. They work by introducing a small, harmless part of a virus or bacterium into the body, which triggers an immune response. The immune system then creates antibodies that can recognize and fight off the actual virus or bacterium if the person is exposed to it in the future.

Vaccines can be made using various methods, but the most common type of vaccine uses a weakened or dead virus or bacterium. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to the pathogen without causing a full-blown infection.

Some vaccines, such as the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, use a different approach by introducing a small piece of genetic material from the virus that causes the body to produce a specific protein. The immune system then recognizes the protein and creates antibodies against it.

Regardless of the method, vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system and provide protection against infectious diseases. They can prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, protect individuals from serious illness and death, and contribute to the control and elimination of infectious diseases.