Which of the following provides active immunity for an individual?

• A. A patient receiving tetanus immune globulin (antibody) therapy.
• B. A patient receiving an inactivated influenza vaccine.
• C. A patient receiving immune globulin (antibody) injections to prevent hepatitis.
• D. A baby consuming its mother’s breast milk that contains COVID-19 antibodies.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between active and passive immunity: Active immunity occurs when an individual's own immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies and memory cells against a pathogen, usually through infection or vaccination. Passive immunity involves receiving pre-formed antibodies from another source, providing immediate but temporary protection.
2. Analyze each option to determine if it involves the individual's immune system actively producing antibodies or just receiving antibodies from an external source.
3. For the patient receiving tetanus immune globulin (antibody) therapy, recognize that this is passive immunity because the patient is given ready-made antibodies, not producing them.
4. For the patient receiving an inactivated influenza vaccine, understand that the vaccine contains killed virus particles that stimulate the patient's immune system to produce its own antibodies and memory cells, which is active immunity.
5. For the patient receiving immune globulin injections to prevent hepatitis and the baby consuming breast milk with antibodies, both are examples of passive immunity since antibodies are transferred directly without the recipient's immune system generating them.