What type of immunity is developed when a pregnant woman receives the Tdap vaccine to protect her infant from pertussis?

Study for the APhA Immunization Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification!

The situation described involves a pregnant woman receiving the Tdap vaccine, which is specifically recommended to provide her infant with protection against pertussis (whooping cough) shortly after birth. When the mother receives the vaccine, she develops an immune response that produces antibodies against the pertussis bacteria. These antibodies then transfer to the fetus through the placenta. This process results in the infant receiving protection via antibodies that were produced by the mother’s immune system, thus it represents passive immunity.

Passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another, providing temporary protection without the individual's immune system having to produce the antibodies itself. In this case, the infant benefits from the mother’s immune response to the vaccine, gaining short-term immunity against pertussis immediately after birth through passive transfer of those antibodies.

Active immunity, on the other hand, would involve the individual's own immune system generating a response and producing antibodies in response to an infection or vaccination that would provide long-lasting protection. Natural immunity refers to protection acquired through natural exposure to a pathogen, while acquired immunity encompasses both active and passive immunity but does not specifically describe the mechanism involved in this situation. Therefore, the correct classification of the immunity developed in this context is passive immunity.

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