How do Vaccines Work?

First lets see how the immune systems works

  • Simply put the immune system is the bodys’ defense system against any foreign invaders.

When a new or unregocnized foreign invader like a Virus is found the immune system will send out its soldiers (antibodies) to destroy and kill it.

  • Now how does the body create its soldiers (antibodies)?

The soldiers are made up of special cells called T Cells then these T cells recruit B cells and these cells create memory so the soldiers (antibodies) will now recognize the new invader and they can now kill this invader before there is too many of them and cause an infection or illness. This is called protection or immunity

How do COVID-19 vaccines work?

  • COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness.
  • Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection, but with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” called T cells as well as B-cells that will remember how to fight that virus in the future. Sound familiar?

Why do some people get sick after getting the vaccine?

  • It typically takes a few weeks for the body to produce T and B cells after vaccination. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.Sometimes after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity