Vaccination & Passive Immunisation — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2016The principle of immunisation or vaccination is based on the property of 'memory' of the immune system. In vaccination, a preparation of antigenic proteins of pathogen or inactivated/weakened pathogen (vaccine) are introduced into the body. The antibodies produced in the body against these antigens would neutralise the pathogenic agents during actual infection. The vaccines also generate memory – B and T-cells that recognise the pathogen quickly on subsequent exposure and overwhelm the invaders with a massive production of antibodies. If a person is infected with some deadly microbes to which quick immune response is required as in tetanus, we need to directly inject the preformed antibodies, or antitoxin (a preparation containing antibodies to the toxin). Even in cases of snakebites, the injection which is given to the patients, contain preformed antibodies against the snake venom. This type of immunisation is called passive immunisation.
NTA tests whether students understand the difference between active and passive immunisation. Active immunisation (vaccination) uses weakened/inactivated pathogens to trigger the body's own immune response and create memory cells for long-term protection. Passive immunisation directly injects preformed antibodies (antitoxins, antivenom) for immediate but temporary protection. Students often confuse these two types or think vaccines and antibodies serve identical purposes. Remember: vaccination builds immunity over time; passive immunisation provides instant but short-lived protection. This distinction is critical for clinical scenarios in NEET questions about treating infections like tetanus or snakebites.
Antivenom injection contains preformed antibodies while polio drops that are administered into the body contain (NEET 2016 Phase 1)
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