How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are crucial medicines that prevent diseases by stimulating the body's immune system. Unlike treatments for existing diseases, vaccines offer immunity before diseases occur. The first vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner in the 1790s, and since then, vaccines have evolved to prevent numerous diseases. Modern vaccines save millions of lives annually. They work by activating the immune system, which produces antibodies to fight antigens. Traditional vaccines use weakened viruses, while new RNA vaccines use lab-made RNA to instruct cells to produce antigens, offering a faster response to rapidly mutating viruses.

Who is credited with discovering the first vaccine for smallpox?

• Louis Pasteur

• Edward Jenner

• Alexander Fleming

• Robert Koch

What is the primary function of antibodies in the immune system?

• To mutate viruses

• To destroy specific antigens

• To produce antigens

• To create new cells

Which of the following is NOT a component of the immune system?

• Bone marrow

• Spleen

• Thymus gland

• Liver

Why are traditional vaccines sometimes ineffective against rapidly mutating viruses?

• They use live viruses

• They cannot adapt quickly to new strains

• They are too expensive to produce

• They require multiple doses

What is the main advantage of RNA-based vaccines over traditional vaccines?

• They require no refrigeration

• They are cheaper to produce

• They use live viruses

• They can be produced faster and more efficiently