Final answer:
Children are given vaccinations to develop antibodies against disease-causing pathogens, which provides immunity and prevents illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children are given vaccinations to develop antibodies against various disease-causing pathogens. Vaccines contain part of a pathogen, a weakened form of the pathogen, or a dead pathogen, which stimulates an immune response without causing the actual illness. This helps the body prepare for fighting the pathogen in case it is encountered again, providing immunity and preventing the child from getting sick.