Vaccines are important to protect our health and the health of those around us, including our loved ones. They work by activating our immune system without making us sick. Normally, when our bodies come into contact with an infectious pathogen, such as bacteria or viruses, our immune system has to first recognize the pathogen as foreign. After it detects the invading virus or bacteria, it can then tell the body to create antibodies to fight off the infection. While this is an extremely effective way of fighting off illnesses, we first experience symptoms before we feel better. Vaccines bypass the stage of getting sick and tell our bodies how to make the antibodies without us ever coming down with an illness. Many dangerous infectious diseases can be prevented in this simple and effective way, which is why vaccines are so important in our daily lives.