Active immunity

How this is marked

The paying point is that the body makes its own antibodies, which is why active immunity is long-lasting (memory cells remain). Contrast this with passive immunity, where antibodies are given from outside and are short-lived. Students drop marks by forgetting memory cells, or by saying vaccination gives 'antibodies' rather than triggering the body to make them. Common in Paper 4 immunity questions.

In an exam answer

Explaining why a vaccine gives lasting protection: 'Vaccination produces active immunity because the body makes its own antibodies and memory cells, which respond quickly if the pathogen enters again.'

Full topic guide: Diseases & immunity