immunizáláshoz

Immunizálás, or immunization, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes protected against a disease. This protection is typically achieved through vaccination, though it can also occur through natural infection. Vaccination involves administering a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen, or a component of it, to stimulate the body's immune response without causing illness. The immune system then develops antibodies and memory cells specific to that pathogen. If the vaccinated individual is later exposed to the actual disease-causing agent, their immune system can quickly recognize and neutralize it, preventing or significantly reducing the severity of the illness.

There are two main types of immunity acquired through immunization: active and passive. Active immunization is what occurs with vaccination, where the body actively produces its own immunity. Passive immunization, on the other hand, involves the introduction of pre-formed antibodies into the body, such as through the transfusion of blood plasma from an immune individual. This provides immediate, but temporary, protection. Immunization is a cornerstone of public health, credited with the eradication or significant reduction of many infectious diseases like smallpox and polio, and continues to be a vital tool in preventing outbreaks and protecting populations.