How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are a way of producing an immune response in the body without causing illness. Vaccines strengthen a person’s immune system by training it to recognise and fight against specific infections.

Vaccines use inactivated (weakened) viruses or parts of the virus (such as a protein) to make our bodies think we have already come into contact with a particular disease. When a person is vaccinated against a disease, their immune system can quickly recognise and clear out bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illnesses from that disease.¹

References

Department of Health. (2021, April 9). How do COVID-19 vaccines work? Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health: health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/learn-about-covid-19-vaccines/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-work

Updated 14 July 2021

Latest

Michael Daly: Policy Analyst
Kelly Berghella: Campaign Manager
Jessica Abbey: Campaign Manager
Statement: You can breastfeed safely with hepatitis B or hepatitis C

There is a common misconception that people living with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C cannot safely breastfeed. Recent misleading media coverage has suggested that drinking breast milk can easily pass on hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This is not the case.