What type of immunity is conferred by vaccination?

Vaccination confers acquired immunity, which is a specific immune response developed as a result of exposure to a pathogen during vaccination. This type of immunity results from the introduction of antigens or weakened forms of a pathogen into the body, prompting the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells. These memory cells enable the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively if the individual encounters the actual pathogen in the future.

Acquired immunity can be further categorized into active and passive immunity. Vaccination typically provides active immunity because it stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies, while passive immunity occurs through the direct transmission of antibodies, such as from mother to child or via antibody injections.

On the other hand, innate immunity refers to the non-specific defense mechanisms that are present from birth and do not depend on previous exposure to a pathogen. Natural immunity generally indicates immunity that arises from infection rather than through medical intervention. Cellular immunity, while a crucial component of the immune response that involves T cells, is part of the broader category of acquired immunity, distinguishing it from other components of the immune system.