passive immunity

noun

Definition of passive immunity

: short-acting immunity acquired by transfer of antibodies (as by injection of gamma globulin) — compare active immunity

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Examples of passive immunity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Again, this suggests vaccinated mothers could be giving their babies passive immunity against the virus. — Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Finally, if vaccination fails, Segev recommends giving patients monoclonal antibodies as a form of passive immunity against COVID. — Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 9 Nov. 2021 Thus, for their first 6 months, babies are protected against the disease, and become vulnerable as that passive immunity wanes. — Maryn Mckenna, Wired, 6 July 2021 Other vaccines cause such temporary passive immunity in infants, including the shot for measles. — BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2021 Mothers typically pass antibodies to their newborns through the placenta during the last three months of pregnancy, which provides the baby with passive immunity. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 22 Mar. 2021 But there is also the possibility the vaccine might even confer benefits to the breastfeeding child through passive immunity, according to the ABM. — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2020 Active immunity is more enduring than passive immunity. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2020 It was later understood this temporary protective effect was due to passive immunity. — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passive immunity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Passive immunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive%20immunity. Accessed 6 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for passive immunity

passive immunity

noun

Medical Definition of passive immunity

: short-acting immunity acquired by transfer of antibodies (as by injection of gamma globulin) — compare acquired immunity, active immunity, innate immunity