1. A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a specific infectious disease.
2. Vaccines contain a small, harmless piece of a virus or bacteria, or a weakened or killed form of the microbe.
3. When administered, vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies and immune cells that can recognize and fight the specific disease.
4. Vaccines can prevent or reduce the severity of infectious diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza.
5. Vaccines can also prevent certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer.
6. There are several types of vaccines, including inactivated vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, conjugate vaccines, and subunit vaccines.
7. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
8. Vaccination is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases and protect public health.
9. Vaccines can provide herd immunity, which helps protect vulnerable individuals who cannot receive vaccines due to medical reasons.
10. The development and use of vaccines have been recognized as one of the greatest achievements in public health, saving millions of lives worldwide.