Immunity to a specific disease can be gained through many ways other than vaccines. There are 2 main and major types of immunity that every individual deals with on a daily basis, especially to my relation, is in the case of infants and or babies: artificial and natural immunity (8). The natural immunity occurs without human interferences, whereas artificial immunity can be given with the help of antigens and antibodies which are delivered by vaccines. To differentiate between the one, one is passive while the other is active. i.e.: New born babies are immune to many diseases as they have gained protection passed onto them from their biological mother and or via breast milk (4). This is an example of passive immunity, where immunity has been acquired through transfer from a person to another. However, passive immunity is only temporary, lasting only for a few weeks or months which is why many vaccines are given and offered to one year old babies. .
Active immunity, on the other hand, not only offers a more long-term protection, but is the second type of acquired immunity. It develops when our bodies are exposed to a disease or illnesses allowing an immune system to build resistance against the disease and further develop immunity (5). Our body's natural defence system the immune system is already resistant to and protects us from many illnesses. This is why, when certain diseases enters our bodies, this is known as infection, the immune system recognizes this as foreign material and produces substances to specifically fight the disease. The white cell present in our blood for fighting infections, have three main types; macrophages, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. Macrophages are cells that engulf and break down the invading bacteria or virus, leaving behind antigens which are sections of the disease-causing organism. These antigens are still registered as harmful to the body and so the B-lymphocytes cells produce antibodies which are substances deigned to specifically target and destroy the antigens (7).
