5.6 Vaccination

Question 1

What is passive immunity?

Answer 1

Produced by the introduction of antibodies into individuals from an outside source

Question 2

What is active immunity?

Answer 2

Produced by stimulating the production of antibodies by the individuals own immune system, direct contact with the pathogen or its antigen is necessary.

Question 3

What are the two types of active immunity?

Answer 3

Natural active immunity - being infected with a disease under normal circumstances.
Artificial active immunity - vaccination/immunisation

Question 4

What is vaccination?

Answer 4

The introduction of the appropriate disease antigen into the body, either by injecting or by mouth. Intent is to stimulate an immune response.

Question 5

What is herd immunity?

Answer 5

When a sufficiently large proportion of the pop. Has been vaccinated to make it difficult to spread within the community.

Question 6

Why vaccination may not eliminate a disease.

Answer 6

• may fail to induce immunity in certain individuals
• mutations of the pathogen
• some pathogens hide from the immune system within body cells
• individuals may have objections to vaccination for religious, ethical or medical reasons