Health Science I – Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Conditions Practice Test

Vaccinations provide artificial active immunity. Active immunity means the immune system is stimulated to produce its own antibodies and memory cells in response to an antigen. Vaccines present a safe form of a pathogen or its components, so the immune system mounts a response and develops immunological memory without causing the disease. Because the body creates its own defenses, protection tends to be long-lasting and can be boosted with later doses. This differs from natural active immunity, which occurs after actual infection, and from passive immunity, which involves receiving ready-made antibodies (either naturally from a mother or artificially via antibody injections) and provides immediate but temporary protection.