Page 109 - Primary Five Science

Storage of vaccines

They are stored in cool places like refrigerators, ice cubes, in

vacuum flasks so that germs used in the vaccine remain inac-

tive. This way, the vaccine remains effective.

Immunization

Immunization is the introduction of vaccines into the body to

make it produce anti-

bodies that fight specif-

ic diseases.

It is the action of making a per-

son or animal immune to certain infec-

tions.

.
Immunization is one of the best ways to

protect your child against many serious diseases.

It works by using a vaccine to stimulate your baby’s im-

mune system.
.
When a germ like a virus or bacteria enters the body for the

first time, the immune system takes time to produce special

antibodies to fight that particular germ. During that time, the

germs multiply and a person may become very sick.
.
As the antibodies are made, they destroy the germs and the

person recovers. The immune system remembers the germ
(stores immunity information), for years or for life. If it enters

the body again, the immune system remembers it and can fight

off the germ quickly before the person becomes sick.

Immunization is made free or cheap by government to make it

possible for all people to immunize their children.