Difference Between Vaccination And Immunization

The difference between vaccination and immunization is that vaccination has to be given externally from outside the body. The vaccination process involves the introduction of a vaccine into the individual whereas immunization involves producing antibodies against vaccines containing weak pathogens. In this article, we will cover the difference between Vaccination And Immunization and their similarities.

What is Vaccination?

Vaccination is the process by which a vaccine is introduced (mainly through injection) into the individual to protect it from any disease. The vaccine is an extract of a weak or dead pathogen given to a person to protect against that particular pathogen or disease. This controlled exposure stimulates the immune system to develop a targeted defense mechanism. When the body encounters the actual disease in the future, the immune system can rapidly recognize and effectively fight it, preventing illness.

What is Immunization?

The word immunization is related to immunity. Immunization is the process by which the body produces antibodies against pathogens that are inserted through vaccines.  It helps protect individuals from getting sick by stimulating their immune system to recognize and fight off specific pathogens.

Let’s understand both vaccination and immunization with a simple example. The first step is vaccination. For example, the doctor might give you a vaccine containing inactivated hepatovirus particles (not live viruses) through injection. This triggers your body’s immune system to learn how to recognize and fight the hepatovirus.

Once you’re vaccinated, the next step is immunization. If you encounter the actual hepatovirus later, your immune system will be prepared. It can quickly produce antibodies that can effectively neutralize and eliminate the virus, preventing you from getting sick. This is what makes you immune to the disease.

Difference Between Vaccination and Immunization

The below points highlight the difference between vaccination and immunization:

Feature	Vaccination	Immunization
Process	Introduction of a vaccine (weakened/inactive pathogen or components)	The development of immunity (resistance to infection)
Action	Triggers the immune system to learn how to fight a specific disease	The body’s response to either vaccination or natural infection
Outcome	Creates specific immunity against a particular disease	Provides protection from a disease
Timing	Active process, usually requiring one or more doses	The overall state of being immune
Form	Administered to patients orally or by injection	No oral or injection administration is needed
Example	Receiving a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine	Being immune to chickenpox after recovering from the illness

Principle Behind Vaccination and Immunization

The principle of immunization or vaccination is based on the immune system’s property of ‘memory’. The vaccines given to individuals generate memory B cells and T cells that identify the previously attacked pathogen and kill them by producing antibodies against them. For example, in the case of snakebites, the doctors give an injection that consists of preformed antibodies against the venom. Similarly, if our body is diagnosed with tetanus, doctors give us an injection that consists of the weak pathogen of tetanus bacteria.

Similarities Between Vaccination and Immunization

The following points highlight the similarities between vaccination and immunization:

• Both aim at providing protection from infectious diseases.
• In both vaccination and immunization, weakened or killed pathogens are administered to activate an immune response.
• Both vaccination and immunization target the immune system of our body to generate a response.
• Vaccination and Immunization both act as preventive measures for restricting the spread of diseases within an area or a community.

Conclusion – Difference Between Vaccination and Immunization

Immunization and vaccination are two different processes. The difference between vaccination and immunization are given in this article. In vaccination, a vaccine against a particular pathogen (bacteria or virus) is given to an individual whereas, in immunization, the vaccine inside the body produces antibodies that kill that pathogen. Not all vaccines are safe during pregnancy.

FAQs on Difference Between Vaccination and Immunization

What is Antitoxin?

Antitoxin is a preparation that contains antibodies that neutralize the toxin. For example-to neutralize the effect of snake venom antitoxin vaccine is given to patients.

How does Immunization Protect us From Disease?

Immunization protects the body by initiating the memory response of the immune system. The immune system is able to recognize the foreign bodies and it attacks them and kill them.

What is Passive Immunization?

In passive immunization, the individual does not produce antibodies of their own instead they receive antibodies from another source. For example-in snakebite, the doctor gives preformed antibodies against the snake venom.

What are Memory B cells and T cells?

The immune system consists of white blood cells- B cells and T cells. When again the same pathogen enters the body they recognize them and kill them.

How Long do Childhood Vaccinations last?

Most of the chidhood vaccines last lifelong. They just need to be administered in the first year when the child is born. Some of them require boosters in between like Polio, etc.

What is the Difference Between Vaccination and Immunization Class 12?

Vaccination involves administering a vaccine to induce immunity against a disease, while immunization refers to the process of becoming immune to a disease, either through vaccination or natural exposure, leading to protection against future infections.