Vaccination provides which type of acquired immunity?

Vaccination provides active artificially acquired immunity. This is because vaccines work by introducing a harmless component of a pathogen, such as an inactivated or weakened form of the virus or bacteria, or even just a piece of it like a protein. This stimulates the immune system to produce a response, leading to the creation of memory cells that recognize the pathogen in future encounters.

In this manner, the immune system is actively engaged in producing its own antibodies and developing long-lasting immunity. This is contrasted with passive immunity, which involves the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from one individual to another, such as through maternal antibodies passed to an infant or through an antibody-containing serum.

The term "artificially" indicates that the immunity is acquired through deliberate exposure to the antigen via vaccination, rather than through natural infection with the disease itself, which would correspond to active naturally acquired immunity. Thus, vaccination is a proactive approach to immunization, enabling individuals to build immunity without suffering from the disease.