What is the role of gamma globulin injections in immunity?

Gamma globulin injections play a significant role in providing immediate, temporary immunity due to their content of antibodies, primarily immunoglobulins. These injections deliver pre-formed antibodies directly into the patient's body, which can help protect against infections or disease until the immune system can mount its own response.

This type of immunity is particularly useful in situations where an individual may be exposed to pathogens and needs quick protection, such as after potential exposure to a viral infection or when traveling to areas where certain infections are prevalent.

While stimulation of long-term immunity and the development of artificial active acquired immunity involve the patient's immune system generating a response against antigens, gamma globulin injections bypass this process by directly supplying antibodies. Therefore, rather than relying on the patient's immune system to create a defense, the injection provides an immediate source of immunity, albeit temporarily, as these antibodies do not last indefinitely in the system.