How Vaccines Work

Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs but there are some deadly diseases they can’t handle. That’s why they need vaccines to strengthen their immune system. In fact, vaccines are the best way to protect your baby from diseases that don’t have to occur. They work by adding reinforcement to your child’s immune system, training that immune system to recognize something bad and then fight it off before it can take up residence in your child’s body. Is it really that easy? Yes and no.

A vaccine contains a small amount of molecules of a known pathogen that are then introduced into the body. This triggers a natural immune response – like fighting off a cold or fever – which makes the body fight back. The body then learns how to recognize this disease because it has already experienced a tiny amount of it and produced antibodies to fight it off. Your child’s body will remember the disease (because of the vaccine) and then launch an all-out attack to destroy any new elements of the disease if reintroduced into the body. Contracting a disease can also help build the body’s immune system by increasing the body’s antibody response.

Vaccines work by adding reinforcement to your child’s immune system, training that immune system to recognize something bad and then fight it off before it can take up residence in your child’s body.

According to the CDC, it can take several weeks from your child’s immune system to develop the antibodies needed to successfully start working. It’s why it’s also recommended to start early in order to give your little one the protection needed to stay healthy and strong.

It’s important to realize that while vaccines can protect your child, being part of a community that vaccinates actually further protects everyone from a known disease. When everyone is vaccinated, a disease has nowhere to go. This is called herd immunity and it can protect entire populations. But only if everyone is vaccinated.

Getting a disease or getting a vaccine can produce the same effect: increased immunity. Wouldn’t you rather spare your child the disease and instead jump right to the immunity?