Vaccines consist of dead or weakened pathogens which stimulate active immunity.
The antigens on the pathogens are specific proteins which trigger an immune response.
Memory cells and plasma cells are created through Humoral Immunity - B Cells are activated by T Helper Cells to divide by mitosis to create the Memory and Plasma Cells.
On first exposure the plasma cells divide into antibodies which are specific to the antigen. The memory cells remain in the blood plasma.
On second exposure, the response is faster and more antibodies are produced as the Memory Cells are already in the blood plasma, ready to divide into the plasma cells and antibodies.
This fights off the pathogens and ultimately kills them. Vaccination can allow herd immunity where the vulnerable population are targeted and the disease does not spread.
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