08-09-2009, 04:06 AM
A vaccine is a preventative concoction containing weakened or dead versions of a disease-producing pathogen such as a bacteria or virus. The vaccine provokes an immune response which creates anti-bodies in one's system to fight off a real pathogen when encountered. Routine shots or antibiotics are to help fight pathogens once a person is already sick. The dispensing of antibiotics "like candy" is one reason we are seeing so many anti-biotic resistant strains of pathogens such as MRSA. Anti-biotics do no good whatsoever for viral diseases such as colds and flu, and their inappropriate use makes bacteria resistant to them.