What is the primary purpose of vaccines?

The primary purpose of vaccines is to trigger immunity against specific pathogens. Vaccines work by introducing a harmless component or a weakened version of a pathogen into the body, stimulating the immune system to recognize and respond to that pathogen. This response includes the production of antibodies and the activation of T-cells, which prepare the immune system to fight off the actual pathogen if encountered in the future.

By preparing the body’s immune system in advance, vaccines help prevent diseases before they occur, effectively reducing the incidence of specific infectious diseases in the population. This is in contrast to treating existing diseases, which is not the role of vaccines, as they are designed to prevent infections rather than cure them. Moreover, while vaccines are crucial in preventing various infections, they do not prevent all types of infections, as there are many pathogens that vaccines do not cover. Lastly, vaccines do not replace the need for antibiotics; antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, while vaccines primarily target viral and some bacterial infections for prevention.