how does vaccination protect the body from communicable diseases?

Vaccination protects the body from communicable diseases by training the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens without causing the disease itself. Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a pathogen or genetic material that prompts the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells. These antibodies work to destroy the pathogen, while memory cells remain in the body to provide rapid and effective defense if the same pathogen is encountered again in the future. This preparation prevents illness or significantly reduces its severity upon subsequent exposure. Additionally, widespread vaccination also supports herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated by reducing the spread of infectious agents in the community.