Vaccination leads to which type of immunity?

Vaccination leads to acquired immunity, which is a specific type of immunity that develops after exposure to a disease or through medical intervention, such as vaccination. When a vaccine is administered, it stimulates the immune system to recognize and remember certain pathogens without causing the diseases themselves. This process involves generating an adaptive immune response, which includes the creation of memory cells that provide long-term protection.

Acquired immunity is specifically distinguished from natural immunity, which is obtained through natural infection, and passive immunity, where antibodies are transferred from one individual to another, such as from mother to child through breastfeeding or through the administration of antiserum. Innate immunity, on the other hand, refers to the body's first line of defense, including physical barriers and general immune responses that do not change with exposure to specific pathogens. Therefore, vaccination fits clearly within the realm of acquired immunity due to its role in actively training the immune system to fight specific infections.