The Biology of Vaccines The Biology of Vaccines Vaccines are prepared mixtures of a virus administered to the body to generate an immune response and protect against illness from that virus and its disease. They work by stimulating the human immune system to develop defenses that will attack the infection in the event of future exposure. Cytotoxic t-cells are cells that naturally exist in the body to protect it from all types of infections.
Antibodies are proteins that the body develops in response to a specific virus or disease.
Circulating antibodies travel through the bloodstream, and mucosal antibodies are located in the mucous membranes that line air passageways, such as the nose and mouth. Every type of vaccine elicits a unique response from the immune system because each stimulates different defense mechanisms depending on the virus, the type of vaccine and the method of administration, among other factors. Copyright 1999 Aviron. All rights reserved.