What are the differences between active and passive immunity?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of definition

Active Immunity

Passive Immunity

Definition

Is a type of immunity that results when a person’s own immune system produces antibodies in response to direct contact with an antigen – natural infection or vaccination

Is a type of short-term immunity that is developed by antibodies that are produced externally and then introduced into the body

Antibody production

Is mediated by antibodies produced by individual’s immune system

Is mediated by the antibodies produced outside the body, when pre-formed antibodies are transferred

Source

Natural (infection) or Artificial (vaccination)

Maternal antibodies (placenta and breast milk) or artificial (vaccines)

Pathogen

Pathogen has direct contact with the body

Pathogen does not have direct contact with the body

Response Time

Does not generate a rapid response – generating an immune response takes time

Generates a rapid response

Duration of protection

Long-term protection, may be lifelong

Temporary protection, lasts only 2 to 3 days

Ability to respond to pathogen variants

Can adapt and respond to evolving pathogens

Relies on the transferred antibodies or cells

Immunological Memory

Generates immunological memory

Does not generate immunological memory

Examples

Recovery from a bacterial infection
Vaccination

Maternal antibodies in newborns
Administration of immune globulins or monoclonal antibodies

Effectiveness in immunodeficient hosts

Ineffective

Effective

Basis of definition	Active Immunity	Passive Immunity
Definition	Is a type of immunity that results when a person’s own immune system produces antibodies in response to direct contact with an antigen – natural infection or vaccination	Is a type of short-term immunity that is developed by antibodies that are produced externally and then introduced into the body
Antibody production	Is mediated by antibodies produced by individual’s immune system	Is mediated by the antibodies produced outside the body, when pre-formed antibodies are transferred
Source	Natural (infection) or Artificial (vaccination)	Maternal antibodies (placenta and breast milk) or artificial (vaccines)
Pathogen	Pathogen has direct contact with the body	Pathogen does not have direct contact with the body
Response Time	Does not generate a rapid response – generating an immune response takes time	Generates a rapid response
Duration of protection	Long-term protection, may be lifelong	Temporary protection, lasts only 2 to 3 days
Ability to respond to pathogen variants	Can adapt and respond to evolving pathogens	Relies on the transferred antibodies or cells
Immunological Memory	Generates immunological memory	Does not generate immunological memory
Examples	Recovery from a bacterial infection Vaccination	Maternal antibodies in newborns Administration of immune globulins or monoclonal antibodies
Effectiveness in immunodeficient hosts	Ineffective	Effective