Immunity and how vaccines work: the green book, chapter 1

Guidance IMMUNITY AND HOW VACCINES WORK: THE GREEN BOOK, CHAPTER 1 Information for public health professionals about how vaccines work. Get emails about this page DOCUMENTS IMMUNITY AND HOW

VACCINES WORK: THE GREEN BOOK, CHAPTER 1 Ref: PHE publications gateway number 2020417 PDF, 60 KB, 8 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an

accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please

tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. DETAILS Immunity is the ability of the human body to protect itself from infectious disease. The

defence mechanisms of the body are complex and include innate (non-specific, non-adaptive) mechanisms and acquired (specific, adaptive) systems. Innate or non-specific immunity is present

from birth and includes physical barriers (for example intact skin and mucous membranes), chemical barriers (for example gastric acid, digestive enzymes and bacteriostatic fatty acids of the

skin), phagocytic cells and the complement system. Acquired immunity is generally specific to a single organism or to a group of closely related organisms. There are 2 basic mechanisms for

acquiring immunity: active and passive. SIGN UP FOR EMAILS OR PRINT THIS PAGE Get emails about this page Print this page