How do vaccinations work to protect individuals and communities from infectious diseases, and what is herd immunity?

V acc inations work by introducing a small , harm less piece of a virus or bacteria into the body . This tr iggers the immune system to produce antib od ies that can fight off the disease . Once the antib od ies are produced , they remain in the body and provide protection against future in fections with that same virus or bacteria . \n \n H erd imm unity occurs when a significant portion of a population has been vacc inated , providing protection not only to the vacc inated individuals but also to those who are unable to receive certain vacc ines due to age , health conditions , or other reasons . When a large number of people are immune to a particular disease , it becomes more difficult for the disease to spread throughout the population , providing protection to those who are not vacc inated . \n \n V acc inations are an important tool in protecting individuals and communities from infect ious diseases . They have been instrumental in the er ad ication of small p ox and the control of many other diseases , such as meas les , pol io , and he pat itis B . By promoting widespread vacc ination , we can help to prevent the spread of disease and protect the health and well - being of individuals and communities . </s>