How vaccines work

Natural infection from certain diseases can kill or seriously harm a child before their body is able to mount an effective immune response.

Vaccination is like a dress rehearsal for your immune system so it is prepared for the ‘real show’.

The vaccine triggers your own body’s natural immune response into action to protect you against the disease without the risk of infection.

Here's how it works:

• The vaccine contains antigens: harmless substances (such as dead bacteria or molecules) associated with the disease.
• The body thinks the antigens are the disease itself, and its immune system starts creating antibodies: proteins that can hone in on that disease's bacteria or viruses.
• Now the immune system knows how to create antibodies against the disease. And if that disease attacks your body, your immune system is ready to fight it off.

Did you know? A less mature immune system and lack of physical development such as a smaller wind pipe means an infant or toddler is at much higher risk for serious complications and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. This is another reason why it is important to immunize early and on time.

It’s just like… “Natural” is not always better. Most of us would not allow our children to drink unpasteurized milk even though it is “natural”.