Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent (known as the immunogen).

When an immune system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body (non-self), it will orchestrate an immune response, but it can also develop the ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter (through immunological memory). This is a function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, by exposing an animal to an immunogen in a controlled way, their body can learn to protect itself: this is called active immunization.

The most important elements of the immune system that are improved by immunization are the B cells (and the antibodies they produce) and T cells. Memory B cell and memory T cells are responsible for a swift response to a second encounter with a foreign molecule. Passive immunization is when these elements are introduced directly into the body, instead of when the body itself has to make these elements.

Immunization can be done through various techniques, most commonly vaccination. Vaccines against microorganisms that cause diseases can prepare the body's immune system, thus helping to fight or prevent an infection. The fact that mutations can cause cancer cells to produce proteins or other molecules that are unknown to the body forms the theoretical basis for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Other molecules can be used for immunization as well, for example in experimental vaccines against nicotine (NicVAX) or the hormone ghrelin (in experiments to create an obesity vaccine).

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Sun May 24 16:06:31 2009

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Immunizations Required by Law

From Yahoo Image Search: "Immunizations"
Tue Jul 7 11:32:44 2009

Childhood Immunizations DTaP, MMR and PCV
typeamom.net
Childhood Immunizations DTaP, MMR and PCV

Jodi Gallegos

2009-03-31 04:00:00

Three of the . immunizations. given in childhood and the diseases they prevent.

newyorkers: Travel immunizations
community.livejournal.com
newyorkers: Travel immunizations

xxuoide

2009-03-09 06:10:30

I'm going to Thailand in two days and stupidly have only thought now to get the travel . immunizations. . The thing is I was banking on going to a free NYC . immunization. clinic, but I've just read that they don't do travel . immunizations. . . ...

MESSAGEbuzz News: London Borough Uses SMS to Boost Immunizations
messagebuzz.blogspot.com
MESSAGEbuzz News: London Borough Uses SMS to Boost Immunizations

MESSAGEbuzz team

2009-02-03 15:45:00

Every quarter, surgeries receive a list from the central system known as Open Exeter, which indicates all the children who are due their . immunizations. for the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab (MMR). . ...

From Google Blog Search: "Immunizations"
Fri Apr 24 22:31:54 2009

Some Eczema Sufferers More Prone to Smallpox and Other Viruses - PhysOrg.com
news.google.com
Some Eczema Sufferers More Prone to Smallpox and Other Viruses

PhysOrg.com

Worse, since halting these immunizations some thirty years ago, the incidence of eczema has been doubling every fifteen years. Beck said that an estimated ...



and more »
Free immunization clinics for Tri-Valley children - Contra Costa Times
news.google.com
Free immunization clinics for Tri-Valley children

Contra Costa Times

pleasanton axis Community Health will hold free Saturday immunization clinics for children from 9 to 11 am on July 11, Aug. 1 and Sept. 12. ...



and more »
Uganda: Measles, polio immunization begin - AfricaNews
news.google.com
Uganda: Measles, polio immunization begin

AfricaNews

In the latest effort to boost the protection of children against the double threat of measles and polio, a three-day, nationwide mass immunization campaign ...

Uganda Health News: Health Ministry in another immunization exercise UGPulse.com



all 8 news articles »

From Google News Search: "Immunizations"
Wed Jul 1 05:14:02 2009

Has anyone moved to Europe with an infant? How do immunizations work?
Q. I am moving to Poland in July with my husband at that time 8 month old daughter. She has had all of her shots here so far. We will be hopefully be back in November for a few weeks when she is a year old. If we can't make it back then, does anyone know how the immunizations work? Can she get them there? Or does she need to get all of her shots here?
Asked by smoocha - Sat Apr 28 16:35:17 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Poland is not a third world country (and even if it were, you'd likely still be able to get her her shots in a third world country, as long as you're in the capital or such). Yes, you can get her her shots in Poland. The deal is that the regular schedule they use there might be slightly different than the schedule they use in the US, or they might recommend fewer or more vaccines than in the US. The easy way to go about this is to go to your doctor now and ask him to write a letter, stating clearly which shots your daughter already has had, and what the schedule is for her future shots. Make a few copies of that letter, just in case. Then, when you're in Poland, find a doctor who knows English well enough to understand the letter and to… [cont.]
Answered by Ian - Sun Apr 29 06:06:41 2007

What are some new ideas for UNICEF to fund more immunizations?
Q. Immunizing a child against the major preventable diseases costs just $17. What can UNICEF do to fund more immunizations?
Asked by Elton Brand - Tue Jan 2 13:49:50 2007 - - 273 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Today's youth is under utilized and can be a wealth of help. Create a program for schools to use to create participation. Most larger cities have business classes in high school, why not create a program to teach children how to run a non-profit organization. The possibilities are endless with the creative minds of teenagers. And who knows, you might just find a new leader in your crusade for immunization funding. Also capitalizing on youth... create a myspace page and challenge kids to raise funding. Again... the possibilities are endless.
Answered by gumbymac61 - Mon Jan 29 18:12:14 2007

What immunizations should someone get if they are traveling to Pakistan?
Q. They have never had any shots even as a child and now need to get the correct information. Different sites say different things. Anyone out there have accurate info?
Asked by onedot.darling - Tue Dec 23 17:34:25 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You really need to consult with your own physician. If you never had the common childhood vaccinations, you could be at real risk going to other parts of the world. you should start several months ahead of time to get the appropriate vaccinations. also, see the CDC site below or other recommendations. I believe this is the most trustworthy site Traveling to parts of the world where measles, polio, and other childhood disease still occur, without being vaccinated would be very risky. You have gotten by in the u.s. because the majority of people are vaccinated and these diseases ae rare here...but that is not true in some other countries...including Pakistan.
Answered by Charlie - Tue Dec 23 22:03:05 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Immunizations"
Mon Mar 9 15:25:29 2009

See also:

  • Childhood ImmunizationsChildhood Immunizations
    immun.com
    Information about immunizations and the diseases they protect against, plus links to information and community resources regarding vaccines.
  • National Network for Immunization InformationNational Network for Immunization Information
    immunizationinfo.org
    Provides science-based immunization information to parents, healthcare professionals, media, policymakers and the public. Includes state by state requirements and newsbriefs.
  • Every Child By TwoEvery Child By Two
    ecbt.org
    Raises awareness of the importance of getting children fully immunized by the time they are two years old by educating health care workers and the general public. Includes a list of 'barriers' to immunization and their solutions.
Custom search only Immunizations sites:

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Mon Jul 6 05:07:53 2009