Chapter 18- Applications of Immune Responses

variolation

first attempts at vaccinations— placing bits of powdered scabs from smallpox lesions into small scratches in the skin

immunization

process of inducing immunity to protect against disease

vaccine

any preparation used as a preventive inoculation to confer immunity against a specific disease, usually employing an innocuous form of the disease agent, as killed or weakened bacteria/virus, to stimulate antibody production

artificial active immunity

immunity that results from an immune response in an individual after vaccination

adjuvant

substance that enhances the immune response to antigens

natural active immunity

immunity that results from an immune response in an individual after exposure to an infectious agent

natural passive immunity

immunity that results when antibodies from a woman are transferred to her developing fetus during pregnancy or to an infant during breastfeeding

artificial passive immunity

immunity that results when antibodies contained in the serum of other people or animals are injected into an individual

herd immunity

when a critical portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, most members are protected against that disease because their is little opportunity for an outbreak

how does herd immunity impact those who are ineligible for vaccines?

even those who are not eligible for vaccination get some protection because the spread of the contagious disease is contained

what is the vaccination rate to reach herd immunity?

between 73 and 91%