How do bacterial targeting vaccines like Pneumovax work? Explained Simply.
Context I was due for pneumovax today and as I left the clinic I realized "hey...wait a minute, isn't pneumonia also a bacterial thing?" before I could ask. Any way I tried reading the wikipedia entry on it and it does indeed safeguard against bacterial strains responsible for pneumonia. I'm not getting any explanation anywhere close to the simplicity of understanding viral vaccines (inactivated and live attenuated) when reading about it. Was just curious, thanks. Simple Answer Pneumovax is a type of vaccine called a 'conjugate vaccine' that works by training your immune system to recognize and fight specific bacteria. It contains parts of the bacteria called 'polysaccharide capsules' that are like little coats on the outside of the bacteria. These capsules are what the bacteria use to trick your body into thinking they're not harmful. When you get the vaccine, your immune system learns to recognize these capsules and make antibodies that can attac...