Parents are constantly concerned about the health and safety of their children and they take many steps to protect them. These preventive measures range from child-proof door latches to child safety seats. In the same respect, vaccines work to safeguard children from illnesses and death caused by infectious diseases. Vaccines protect children by helping prepare their bodies to fight deadly diseases. First - A vaccine is given by a shot or liquid by mouth.
Most vaccines contain a weakened or dead disease germ.
Other vaccines use inactivated toxins. Some of the bacteria that cause disease do so by producing toxins that invade the bloodstream. Next - The body makes antibodies to fight the weakened or dead germs in the vaccine. Then - These antibodies practice on the weak germs so when the real, strong disease germs which can be lurking all around invade the child s body, the antibodies will know how to destroy them and the child will not become ill. Most vaccines don t cause the diseases that are usually caused by viruses and bacteria.