The body’s immunity is responsible for the protection and prevention of diseases. The immune system can fight off infection through the detection of disease carrying organisms through the production of antibodies upon exposure. Antibodies are responsible for neutralizing and destroying toxins by learning to recognize and eliminate them. After binding to pathogens and eliminating them, these antibodies retain information regarding the invader in order to prevent reinfection.
Innate and adaptive immunity are two types of protection the immune system possesses. Innate immunity is comprised of physical barriers such as skin, mucus membranes, cells, and proteins. This has its limitations because innate immunity is considered only the first line of defense and acts as physical protection against infection.
Adaptive immunity, on the other hand, involves long-lasting protection against infection. Adaptive immunity has two separate subtypes i.e., active and passive immunity. Active immunity requires infection with the disease organism in order to produce antibodies against it. This may be done through naturally acquiring the disease or through vaccination. Passive immunity is introducing antibodies to the immune system as compared to producing it internally. This protection, though immediate, only lasts for a few weeks or months.
Vaccines are a form of active immunity which contain weakened or inactive parts of an organism. Receiving a vaccination exposes the body to antigens specific to a disease that the body then neutralizes and triggers the production of antibodies. These antibodies are stored to prevent reinfection or reduce symptoms experienced if reinfection does occur.
Amid a global pandemic, it is recommended to receive vaccinations to aid in the world’s immunization. Immunity attained from vaccination is long-term and would only help adaptation to ever-changing, disease-causing organisms in the world. Though, with every medical decision, ethics and safety should be the priority of each individual—weighing in the pros and cons of any substance entering the body.
