How the immune system learns to defend itself
From the show notes
To be immune to pathogens, you don't have to be infected with them. You can use vaccines, but the principle remains the same: The immune system must first get to know them to learn how to defend itself against pathogens. This is what happens with vaccination.
Although the principle of vaccination has improved global health, the subject is still associated with fears. And not just since opponents of vaccination have been stirring up worries about the Corona vaccine: there were reservations about this treatment as early as the 18th century. However, a vaccination sometimes immunizes better than natural infection.
Patients often do not feel well after vaccination. However, this is usually not due to the vaccine: it is the immune system's natural reaction, which is just learning how to deal with the new pathogen.
Detektor.fm editor Dominik Lenze found out from Max Planck Director Thomas Boehm how such an immune reaction occurs during vaccination.