Difference between Vaccination and Immunization

Vaccination can be defined as the introduction of weakened or killed microorganisms into the body of individuals so as to attain immunity and consequently, develop protection against the particular disease. Immunization, on the other hand, can be defined as the process by which the individual becomes immune to some particular disease either naturally or by the use of one or more vaccines.

Key Takeaways: Vaccination, Immunization, Vaccine, Immunogen, Active Immunization, Passive Immunization, Subunit Vaccine, Viral Vector Vaccine, Attenuated Vaccine, Inactivated Vaccine,

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Vaccination Vs Immunization

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Vaccination can be defined as the introduction of a vaccine – weakened or killed microorganisms – into the body of an individual in order to gain immunity against a specific microbe and consequently, prevent the development of a disease. Vaccination is the most effective way of obtaining immunity against infectious diseases. It proved useful in the worldwide eradication of smallpox. It is also used to attain protection from diseases like polio, tetanus and most recently, SARS-CoV.

On the other hand, immunization can be defined as the process of boosting up the immune system of any individual with the help of immunogens. It takes roughly 2 weeks to develop antibodies against a particular disease. It aids in protecting the individual against a particular kind of disease. Immunization can be done through numerous techniques. However, the process of vaccination is the most commonly used method of immunization.

Vaccination Vs Immunization

The following table further illustrates the difference between vaccination and immunization:

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Vaccines

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Vaccines can be described as biological preparations that help the individual to develop immunity against a particular disease. It is typically made from killed or weakened microbes, its toxins as well as proteins. The science of developing vaccines is known as vaccinology.

Vaccination is the most effective way of obtaining immunity against infectious diseases. It proved useful in the worldwide eradication of smallpox. It is also used to attain protection from diseases like polio, tetanus and most recently, SARS-CoV. According to the reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO), at present, licensed vaccines are available for almost twenty-five preventable diseases.

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Types Of Vaccines

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Types Of  Vaccines

Vaccines can be broadly classified into the following types:

• Attenuated Vaccine

These types of vaccines use live and attenuated microorganisms. Attenuation involves reducing or altering the virulence – the ability to cause damage to a host – of any pathogen. These vaccines stimulate a strong and long-lasting immune system and therefore, a single dose of these vaccines are completely effective. However, attenuated vaccines should not be given to pregnant women as well as individuals with compromised immune systems, for instance, people suffering from HIV disease. Some common examples include vaccines for diseases like rubella, measles, mumps, yellow fever, typhoid and influenza.

• Inactivated Vaccine

In contrast to attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines contain killed pathogens. These pathogens are grown under controlled conditions and are later killed in order to reduce the infectivity and thus, prevent any infection from the pathogen. These types of vaccines, however, produce a weaker immune response and therefore, multiple “booster” doses are required to develop the necessary degree of immunity against a particular pathogen. (These types of vaccines are mainly administered to the elderly population as well as the people suffering from various immuno-deficient diseases.) For example, the Salk Vaccine (for polio), the Hepatitis A Vaccine, the Rabies Vaccine,.

• Toxoid Vaccine

Instead of pathogens, these types of vaccines are prepared from inactivated toxic compounds that cause illness. The vaccines for diseases like tetanus and diphtheria are examples of toxoid vaccines.

• Subunit Vaccine

These vaccines do not contain the whole pathogen but only its antigenic portions. Although it requires successive “booster” shots to develop the necessary level of immunity. Some of the diseases that can be cured with the help of this type of vaccine include Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), etc.

• Viral Vector Vaccine

These types of vaccines use viral vectors to introduce the desired genetic material coding for the desired antigen into the cells of the host. At present, there are six viral vector vaccines – four COVID 19 vaccines and two Ebola Vaccines – that are currently used in different countries of the world.

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Immunization

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Immunization can be defined as the process of improving the immune system of any individual with the help of immunogens. It takes roughly 2 weeks to develop antibodies against a particular disease.

• The process of immunization helps to give long lasting protection against any particular kind of disease. Thus, it has helped to save millions of lives across the world. 
• It has proved to be useful against diseases like tetanus, measles, influenza, etc. The process of immunization, however, does not provide life-long protection against a particular disease. For example, the tetanus vaccine lasts for only 30 years ..
• Immunization can be done through numerous techniques. However, the process of vaccination is the most commonly used method of immunization.
• The World Immunization Week is celebrated each year in the last week of April. This global public campaign helps to generate awareness regarding the importance of immunization against deadly diseases in the world.

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Types Of Immunization

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Immunization can be attained either in an active or a passive manner.

Active Immunization

It can be defined as the immunity that is developed after an individual is exposed to any antigen and can be obtained either naturally or artificially.

Active Immunization can take place naturally when the individual comes in direct contact with the disease causing microbe. As a result, the body will automatically produce antibodies which will eventually make the individual immune to any future infections.

Active Immunization can also be obtained artificially through the process of vaccination. In this case, the disease causing microbes are injected into the body of the individual so as to develop immunity against the particular disease. However, the degree of immunity developed from these vaccines varies from person to person.

Active immunization has proved useful against diseases like influenza, polio, mumps, yellow fever, rubella, measles, etc.

Passive Immunization

It can be defined as the transfer of antibodies into the body of a non-immunized individual so as to provide temporary protection against a disease causing microbe. However, this method of immunization is usually short-lived as the antibodies can be naturally broken down by the body.

Passive immunization can be obtained either naturally or artificially. Natural passive immunization occurs when the antibodies are transferred from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy. This protects the foetus from acquiring diseases shortly before and after their birth.

Passive immunization can also be obtained artificially through the injection of the antibodies into the body of a non-immunized individual. This is usually used as an emergency treatment for toxicity, for instance, tetanus or when there has been a recent outbreak of a particular disease.

Also Read: Difference Between Antigen and Antibody

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Things to Remember

• Vaccination can be defined as the introduction of a vaccine – weakened or killed microorganisms – into the body of an individual in order to gain immunity against a specific microbe and consequently, prevent the development of a disease.
• Vaccines can be prepared using the whole pathogen or parts of the pathogen that might trigger the immune system. It can also be prepared using only the genetic material.
• Immunization can be defined as the process of improving the immune system of any individual with the help of immunogens. However, it fails to provide life-long protection against any particular disease.
• Active Immunization can be defined as the immunity that is developed after an individual is exposed to any antigen. Vaccination is an example of active immunization.
• Passive Immunization can be defined as the transfer of antibodies into the body of a non-immunized individual so as to provide temporary protection against a disease causing microbe.