Concept:
Immunity is the body's ability to resist infections. It is broadly classified into active and passive immunity, each of which can be natural or artificial:
- Natural active immunity: Acquired through natural infection.
- Natural passive immunity: Transfer of antibodies from mother to child (e.g., placenta, breast milk).
- Artificial active immunity: Induced by vaccines.
- Artificial passive immunity: Injection of pre-formed antibodies (e.g., antiserum).
Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated pathogens (or their components) that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells.
Step 1: Understand how vaccines work.
Vaccines trigger the body's immune response without causing disease, leading to the formation of memory cells.
Step 2: Identify the type of immunity.
Since immunity is developed actively by the body and is artificially induced, it is classified as artificial active immunity.
Step 3: Differentiate from other types.
- Passive immunity involves receiving ready-made antibodies.
- Natural immunity occurs without medical intervention.
Step 4: Conclude the answer.
Thus, immunity acquired through vaccination is artificial active immunity.