What type of immunity do vaccinations produce?

Vaccinations produce artificial active immunity. This type of immunity occurs when a person is exposed to a safe form of the pathogen, such as an inactivated or attenuated virus or bacteria, which stimulates the immune system to produce a response. This response includes the creation of antibodies and memory cells, which prepare the immune system to fight off future infections by the same pathogen.

Artificial active immunity is characterized by the deliberate introduction of antigens into the body through vaccination. The immune system learns to recognize and combat the pathogen without causing the actual disease. This results in long-lasting protection, as the body retains memory cells that can respond quickly to subsequent exposures to the infectious agent.

In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from one individual to another, which does not involve the recipient's immune system actively producing a response. Natural immunity refers to the immunity developed through natural exposure to pathogens, while innate immunity is the body's first line of defense against infections, providing a rapid but generalized response to pathogens.