Immunizations

Immunization is the introduction of immunity against an infectious sickness by a means other than experiencing the natural disease. The word is generally used interchangeably with vaccination. Active immunization engages administration of an antigenic matter that then induces growth of protective antibodies by the person immunized. This guard usually lasts for years, even for life. Inactive immunization refers to temporary immunity resulting from antibodies developed by someone else, either through administration of immune globulin such as rabies immune globulin, gamma globulin or through the natural transfer across the placenta of antibodies developed by the mother, which make available protection to the newborn infant. Passive immunity generally lasts only a few weeks to a few months.