A vaccination is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease. Vaccines contain a weakened or killed form of the bacteria or virus that causes a particular disease, which stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the pathogen, destroy it, and “remember” it, so that the body is prepared to fight the disease quickly if it is ever encountered again.
An example of a vaccination is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This vaccine contains weakened forms of the viruses that cause measles, mumps, and rubella. When a person receives the MMR vaccine, the weakened forms of the viruses stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and fight these viruses, thereby providing protection against the three diseases.
Another example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The HPV vaccine contains proteins from several types of HPV. When a person receives the HPV vaccine, the proteins stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and fight the virus, providing protection against various types of cancer and other diseases caused by HPV.
Overall, vaccinations are an important and effective way to protect people against infectious diseases. Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens, providing long-term protection from diseases.