AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
For this reason most young children are vaccinated against measles.
Full specification wording
Viral diseases: For this reason most young children are vaccinated against measles.
Because measles is highly contagious and can cause serious or fatal complications, most young children are vaccinated against it.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 9
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Because measles is highly contagious and can cause serious or fatal complications, most young children are vaccinated against it. The vaccine used in the UK is the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. It contains a weakened or inactivated form of the virus that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing the disease. If the vaccinated child later encounters the real measles virus, the immune system responds rapidly and prevents illness. High vaccination rates also create herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, such as very young babies or people with certain medical conditions. This is why vaccination is offered routinely in early childhood and why maintaining high uptake is important for public health.
What earns the marks
- Measles is highly contagious and can be serious or fatal, so prevention is important.
- The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
- Vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells.
- If exposed later, the immune system responds quickly and prevents disease.
- High vaccination rates provide herd immunity, protecting unvaccinated individuals.
- Vaccination is offered to young children as part of routine public health programmes.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking the vaccine causes measles.
Put it right by explaining it contains a weakened or inactivated virus that cannot cause the disease.
Believing vaccination only protects the individual.
Put it right by explaining herd immunity protects others too.
Confusing the MMR vaccine with a treatment for measles.
Put it right by stating it is a preventive measure given before infection.
Exam tips
- Link vaccination directly to the seriousness of measles to justify why it is given to most young children.
- Use the term herd immunity and explain briefly what it means.
- Name the MMR vaccine and state which diseases it protects against.
Try the lesson
The start of the Viral diseases: For this reason most young children are vaccinated against measles. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What is the primary method used to protect most young children from catching measles?
Listen
Because measles is highly contagious and can cause serious or fatal complications, most young children are vaccinated against it. The vaccine used in the UK is the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. It contains a weakened or inactivated form of the virus that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing the disease. If the vaccinated child later encounters the real measles virus, the immune system responds rapidly and prevents illness. High vaccination rates also create herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, such as very young babies or people with certain medical conditions. This is why vaccination is offered routinely in early childhood and why maintaining high uptake is important for public health. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Measles is highly contagious and can be serious or fatal, so prevention is important. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells. If exposed later, the immune system responds quickly and prevents disease. A common slip: Thinking the vaccine causes measles. Instead, explaining it contains a weakened or inactivated virus that cannot cause the disease. Exam tip: Link vaccination directly to the seriousness of measles to justify why it is given to most young children.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Viral diseases: For this reason most young children are vaccinated against measles.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge