Originally the word vaccination meant inoculation against smallpox. However smallpox has almost been eradicated as a result of worldwide vaccinations programs.
The main ingredient of any vaccine is the disease-causing virus, bacteria or toxin, but a number of other components are needed to make the final vaccine as safe and effective as possible.
Vaccines contain "killed" (inactivated) or "live" versions of the disease-causing virus, bacteria or toxin. These are known as the vaccine antigen.
Both killed and live vaccines work by stimulating the immune system so it thinks it's being attacked by the active germ. Your body responds by producing antibodies that stay in your system to protect you in the future. …show more content…
1955—Polio vaccines begin
1980—smallpox is eradicated from the world
2008 HPV vaccine for girls against cancer begins
2013—NHS vaccinates against shingle, rotavirus and childrens flu
2015—NHS vaccinates babies against Meningitis