passive immunity

noun

, Immunology.

1. immunity resulting from the injection of antibodies or sensitized lymphocytes from another organism or, in infants, from the transfer of antibodies through the placenta or from colostrum.

passive immunity

/ păs′ĭv /

1. See under acquired immunity

Word History and Origins

Origin of passive immunity¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Or they can wait until after their baby is born and give them nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that was approved by the FDA in July, which also provides passive immunity ahead of RSV season.

From Scientific American

Both result in passive immunity to the baby, providing protection during a time that babies are most susceptible to severe RSV disease.

From Salon

“He’s shown himself willing to, in my opinion, bend the facts, particularly in matters like the power of passive immunity, allowing natural infection to be a substitute for vaccination.”

From Washington Post

REGEN-COV may be able to provide immediate passive immunity to those at high risk of infection, in contrast to active vaccines that take weeks to provide protection, the company said.

From Reuters

Dr. Charles Chiu, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California–San Francisco, pointed Salon to three specific ones: passive immunity, neutralizing antibody immunity, and active immunity.

From Salon