Advantages of Passive Immunization
Passive immunization is the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another. It is a short-term solution that provides rapid protection against a particular disease.
One of the main advantages of passive immunization is that it can be used to quickly protect individuals at risk of developing a severe form of a disease. For example, if a person is exposed to a certain virus, passive immunization can be used to provide protection against the virus before the body has had time to produce its own antibodies. This can be especially beneficial for people who are immunocompromised, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Another advantage of passive immunization is that it does not require the person to be vaccinated in advance. This means that it can be used to provide protection against diseases for which no vaccine is available, or for which the vaccine is not effective.
Finally, passive immunization is relatively safe and does not carry the risk of side effects or allergic reactions associated with other types of immunization.
Disadvantages of Passive Immunization
One of the main disadvantages of passive immunization is that it provides only short-term protection. This means that it must be administered multiple times to maintain immunity. In addition, passive immunization does not provide long-term protection against the disease and cannot be used to boost the body’s own immune response.
Another disadvantage of passive immunization is that it is generally more expensive than active immunization. This is because it requires more resources to produce the antibodies and to ensure that they are administered correctly.
Finally, passive immunization does not provide any protection against future exposures to the same disease. As a result, it is not recommended as a substitute for vaccination.