Which type of immunity is developed after vaccination?

Vaccination leads to the development of active immunity because it prompts the immune system to produce its own antibodies in response to the antigens found in the vaccine. This process involves the stimulation of the body’s adaptive immune response, allowing it to recognize and remember the specific pathogen that the vaccine is designed to protect against.

Active immunity can take time to develop but provides a long-lasting defense because the immune system creates a memory of the pathogen. As a result, if the vaccinated individual encounters the actual disease-causing agent in the future, their immune system is prepared to respond more swiftly and effectively.

In contrast, natural immunity occurs when a person is exposed to a pathogen and develops immunity through their own immune response. Passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from another source, such as maternal antibodies given to a baby through breast milk, offering immediate but temporary protection. Innate immunity refers to the body’s first line of defense mechanisms, including physical barriers and immune cells that respond to pathogens in a non-specific manner, but it does not involve the production of antibodies or memory formation.