Robert Arnold, age 7, of Des Moines, Iowa, for his question:

What is a vaccination?

Years ago, most children caught miserable diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough. Some also caught dyptheria, smallpox or polio and were even sicker. Then scientists found a simple way to protect people from these wretched old illnesses. They discovered that they are caused by germs that attack the body. The body tries to protect itself by making mini soldiers called antibodies. With enough antibodies, it can fight off the enemy germs. So they invented a way to help the body to make all the antibodies it needs to fight off this germ and that germ.

When you get vaccinated, your body gets a shot called a vaccine. The vaccine helps the body to build an army of antibodies. So, if and when a certain germ attacks, it is wiped out before it can do much harm. Nowadays, there are vaccines to protect children from many of the old sicknesses. So be glad when the doctor gives you a vaccination shot. It may save you from coming down with a miserable sickness.