Immunological basis of vaccination

Abstract

The basic mechanisms of body defences against infectious diseases are both non- specific and specific immune systems. Non- specific immunity refers to mechanism of protection that do not require specific recognition of antigen, but that increase the protection afforded by specific immune mechanisms. Non-specific immune mechanisms include phagocytes, acute inflammatory responses, type-1 interferon, and tumour necrosing factor. Specific immunity consists of mechanisms of protection that require specific recognition of antigen. This immunity is highly specific, inducible, discriminatory and unforgotten T lymphocyte- dependent response. Normal specific immunity operates under Major Histocompatibility Complex restriction. It is the ability of this immune system to refine its antigen recognition domains and establish immunological memory that underlies the success of active vaccination.

Keywords

• Immunological basis
• vaccination