Immunization |
Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent (known as the immunogen). When
this system is exposed to molecules that are foreign
to the body, called non-self, it will orchestrate
an immune response, and it will also develop the
ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter
because of immunological memory. This is a function
of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, by exposing
an animal to an immunogen in a controlled way, its
body can learn to protect itself: this is called
active immunization.
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