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GCSE Biology · key term
The process of administering a vaccine to create immunity to a pathogen.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Specification 4.3.1.7 · Paper 1
Revise: VaccinationVaccination prepares the immune system before an encounter with the active pathogen. A vaccine introduces a small quantity of dead or inactive forms of that pathogen into the body. These cannot cause the disease in the same way as the active pathogen, but their antigens can still be recognised by white blood cells.
Specification 5.14 · Paper 1
The administration of a vaccine to stimulate immunity against a pathogen.
For an explanation of vaccination, give the whole sequence: dead or inactive pathogen introduced → white blood cells produce specific antibodies → memory cells remain → later response is faster → illness is prevented.
Distinguish individual immunity from herd immunity: vaccination prepares one person's immune system, whereas widespread immunisation reduces transmission through the population.
When evaluating vaccination, compare supported benefits and risks before reaching a conclusion. Do not simply list them.
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The act of giving the vaccine is vaccination; the resulting protection is immunisation.