Active immunization is the induction of immunity after exposure to an

antigen In immunology, an antigen (Ag) is a molecule or molecular structure or any foreign particulate matter or a pollen grain that can bind to a specific antibody or T-cell receptor. The presence of antigens in the body may trigger an immune respons ...

. Antibodies are created by the recipient and may be stored permanently. Active immunization can occur naturally when microbes or other antigen are received by a person who has not yet come into contact with the microbes and has no pre-made antibodies for defense. The immune system will eventually create antibodies for the microbes, but this is a slow process and, if the microbes are dead, there may not be enough time for the antibodies to be used. Artificial active immunization is where the microbe is injected into the person before they are able to take it in naturally. The microbe is treated, so that it will not harm the infected person. Depending on the type of disease, this technique also works with dead microbes, parts of the microbe, or treated toxins from the microbe. A common example of this form of active immunization is

vaccination Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop immunity from a disease. Vaccines contain a microorganism or virus in a weakened, live or killed state, or proteins or toxins from the organism. In stimulating ...

s, which have led to several

controversies Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin ''controversia'', as a composite of ''controversus'' – "turned in an opposite d ...

in the past and even present regarding their safety.

References

Vaccination {{vaccine-stub

See also

References