New
New
Year 10

Immunisation

I can explain the benefits of immunisation and evaluate the arguments around them.

New
New
Year 10

Immunisation

I can explain the benefits of immunisation and evaluate the arguments around them.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Vaccines protect against deadly diseases.
  2. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being used.
  3. Vaccines do not contain anything harmful, only ingredients to make them work.
  4. Vaccines have made deadly diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus, rare or eliminated in the UK.
  5. If people stop having vaccines, it's possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.

Keywords

  • Immunisation - the process of becoming immune or resistant to a disease, usually through a vaccine

  • Vaccination - the process of receiving a vaccine, for example, receiving the injection, or taking an oral or nasal dose

  • Antibodies - disease-fighting proteins that play a crucial role in the immune system; they recognise infectious invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, and help the body destroy them

  • Live vaccines - contain weakened versions of viruses or bacteria, giving long-term protection

  • Non-live vaccines - contain viruses or bacteria that have been destroyed, or just parts of them; several doses or a booster are needed for full protection

Common misconception

You only have vaccinations as a baby or young child.

Vaccinations are offered by health professionals at different ages.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Immunisation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to work with your local public health team to time delivering this lesson at the same time that pupils might receive vaccinations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
An acute health condition ...
Correct answer: is sudden, quick or sometimes severe.
is persistent for a long time, or recurring.
is minor and doesn’t require any medical attention or intervention.
develops slowly over many years and lasts a lifetime.
Q2.
weight loss or gain could be a sign of a health condition.
Correct Answer: Unexplained, Sudden
Q3.
Which of the following is the best way for a teenager to maintain good overall health?
Sleeping less to have more time for school and social media.
Skipping breakfast to save time in the morning.
Drinking energy drinks to stay alert throughout the day.
Correct answer: Eating a balanced diet and sleeping 8–10 hours a night.
Only visiting the doctor when symptoms have lasted for over a month.
Q4.
Fatigue is...
a type of contagious illness that spreads through the air.
the feeling of being very hungry after skipping a meal.
when your muscles grow in size after exercise.
the sudden burst of energy you get after drinking caffeine.
Correct answer: the feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion.
Q5.
Signs that you should seek medical help include ...
Correct answer: chronic symptoms.
Correct answer: blood in your stool.
regular bowel movements.
consistent energy level patterns.
Correct answer: unexplained weight gain.
Q6.
If you notice a change to your health, you should not ...
Correct answer: ignore the signs until they get worse.
talk to a trusted adult.
seek medical help.
note down the symptoms you are experiencing.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of vaccines?
to cure illnesses after you get them
Correct answer: to protect against deadly diseases before you catch them
to help with digestion
to make you feel tired
Q2.
What do vaccines contain?
harmful chemicals
Correct answer: only ingredients to make them work
live dangerous viruses
Q3.
Which of the following diseases has been eradicated, thanks to vaccines?
flu
chickenpox
Correct answer: smallpox
measles
Q4.
Match the words to the definitions.
Correct Answer:antibodies,disease-fighting proteins with a crucial role in the immune system

disease-fighting proteins with a crucial role in the immune system

Correct Answer:immunisation,the process of receiving a vaccine and becoming immune to a disease

the process of receiving a vaccine and becoming immune to a disease

Correct Answer:vaccination,the process of receiving a vaccine, e.g. injection, oral or nasal dose

the process of receiving a vaccine, e.g. injection, oral or nasal dose

Q5.
Vaccines are always rigorously before being used.
Correct Answer: tested, monitored
Q6.
When are vaccines usually offered in the UK?
only during early childhood
only if you are travelling abroad
Correct answer: up until the age of 14 and then again after 65 years
only when you’re elderly or unwell
up until the age of 11 and then again after 70 years