What type of immune response do vaccines primarily stimulate?

Vaccines primarily stimulate the adaptive immune response. This is because vaccines are designed to introduce antigens, which are components of pathogens, into the body in a controlled manner. These antigens trigger the immune system to recognize and respond to the foreign substance, resulting in the activation of specific lymphocytes, including B cells and T cells.

B cells produce antibodies that target the specific antigens, while T cells can help directly kill infected cells or assist other immune cells in their functions. This process leads to the development of immunological memory, allowing the body to respond more swiftly and effectively upon subsequent exposure to the actual pathogen.

The adaptive immune response is characterized by its specificity and memory, meaning that it can adapt to recognize and remember pathogens over time, providing lasting protection. In contrast, innate immunity provides a rapid but non-specific response and does not confer long-lasting immunity, while passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another and does not occur as a result of vaccination. The inflammatory response, while important in the immune response, is part of both innate and adaptive immunity but does not specifically delineate the targeted and memory aspects characteristic of the adaptive immune response that vaccines exploit.