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Infection & ResponseDiagram

Herd Immunity Dynamics

Part of Vaccination and Herd Immunity — GCSE Biology

This diagram covers Herd Immunity Dynamics within Vaccination and Herd Immunity for GCSE Biology. How vaccines work, types of vaccines, population immunity, vaccination programs It is section 5 of 15 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Topic position

Section 5 of 15

Practice

18 questions

Recall

21 flashcards

Herd Immunity Dynamics

Herd Immunity Threshold Visualization Low Vaccination (30%) Disease spreads easily High Vaccination (85%) Herd immunity achieved Legend: Vaccinated/Immune Susceptible Infected Transmission blocked Herd Immunity Threshold by Disease 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Measles 95% Polio 85% COVID-19 75% Flu 50% Vaccination Coverage Required Herd Immunity Threshold Formula: Threshold = 1 - (1/R₀) Where R₀ = Basic reproduction number (average infections from one case) Example: Measles R₀ = 15, so threshold = 1 - (1/15) = 93.3%

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Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Vaccination and Herd Immunity. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Types of Vaccines — Extension ContentVaccination Programs and SchedulesEdward Jenner and the Birth of VaccinationKey Facts: Vaccination and Herd Immunity

Practice Questions for Vaccination and Herd Immunity

What do vaccines contain?

  • A. Live, active pathogens that cause disease
  • B. Dead or inactive pathogens or their antigens
  • C. Antibiotics to kill bacteria
  • D. White blood cells from another person
1 markfoundation

Explain how vaccination protects a person from getting a disease. [3 marks]

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is a vaccine and how does it work?
A vaccine contains a dead or weakened form of a pathogen (or its antigens). It triggers the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing disease. If the real pathogen enters later, memory cells respond rapidly.
Why don't vaccines cause the disease they protect against?
Vaccines use dead or inactive pathogens, or just antigens from the pathogen's surface. The pathogen cannot multiply or cause infection. The immune system still recognises the antigens and builds immunity.

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