Which type of immunity is often acquired through vaccination?

The type of immunity often acquired through vaccination is active immunity. This form of immunity arises when exposure to a disease triggers the immune system to produce antibodies against that pathogen. Vaccination introduces a harmless component or a weakened version of the pathogen, prompting the immune system to recognize it as a threat. As a result, the body creates specific antibodies and memory cells that will enable a quicker and stronger response if the individual is exposed to the actual disease in the future.

Active immunity is long-lasting because the memory cells remember the pathogen, which allows for a robust immune response upon subsequent exposures. In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, typically providing short-term protection, such as from maternal antibodies to a newborn. Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense, providing a general response to pathogens without specificity. Nonspecific immunity refers to mechanisms that are not tailored to specific pathogens, such as physical barriers and general immune responses. Therefore, vaccination specifically induces active immunity by training the immune system to respond to specific pathogens.