Immunizations

Immunization is the introduction of immunity against a contagious disease by a means other than experiencing the natural infection. The word is generally used interchangeably with vaccination. Active immunization involves administration of an antigenic matter that then induces expansion of protective antibodies by the person immunized. This protection generally lasts for years, even for life. Passive immunization refers to provisional immunity resulting from antibodies developed by someone else, either through administration of immune globulin such as gamma globulin, rabies immune globulin or through the natural transport across the placenta of antibodies developed by the mother, which provide protection to the newborn baby. Passive immunity typically lasts only a few weeks to a few months.