Passive Immunization

• Injection of preformed antibodies induces a rapid humoral response against a specific pathogen

• Provides only temporary protection, as antibodies have a half-life of ∼ 3 weeks and their titers decrease over time.

• Antitoxins

• Humanized monoclonal antibodies

• Maternal immunoglobulins that are transmitted via breast milk (IgA) or cross the placenta (IgG) to provide passive immunity

• Acute, post-exposure elimination of a pathogen

  • Viruses: rubella, rabies, hepatitis B

  • Toxins: tetanus, botulinum, diphtheria

• Rhesus incompatibility prevention

• Application: Vaccines are available for intramuscular as well as for intravenous injection .

• Combination

  • Simultaneous vaccination: ≥ 1 vaccine administered on the same day, but in different syringes and at different anatomical locations

    • Two different passive vaccines may be administered simultaneously.

    • An inactivated active and a passive vaccine may be administered simultaneously (e.g., in acute hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, or tetanus infection).

  • After administration of a passive vaccine against a specific pathogen, a live vaccine against the same pathogen should not be administered for at least 3 months.

“Passive immunization Helps Beat The Disease Rapidly:” HBV, Botulinum, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Rabies are indications for passive immunization.