Which type of immunity is acquired through vaccination?

Vaccination results in active immunity because it stimulates the body’s own immune system to produce antibodies in response to a pathogen. When a vaccine is administered, it contains antigens that mimic the disease-causing organism, prompting the immune system to respond as if it were being attacked by the actual disease. This response includes the production of specific antibodies and memory cells that remain in the body, providing long-lasting protection against future infections from the same pathogen.

In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, such as through maternal antibodies given to a child during breastfeeding. Natural immunity develops through exposure to a pathogen in the environment, leading to an immune response, while artificial immunity generally refers to any immunity that is gained through medical intervention, which can either be passive or active depending on the method. The key distinction for active immunity is that it results from the individual's own immune response rather than directly receiving antibodies.