Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Active immunity occurs when the body produces its own antibodies in response to an antigen, such as after infection or vaccination. This type of immunity can be long-lasting, providing protection against specific pathogens.
Related terms
Antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and bind to specific antigens to neutralize or destroy them.
Substances (usually proteins) on the surface of pathogens, vaccines, or foreign cells that trigger the immune response.
Vaccination: The process of stimulating active immunity by exposing the body to weakened or dead pathogens without causing disease, prompting the production of antibodies