immunity gap

plural immunity gaps

1. biologyThe time period during which a young mammal no longer receives effective immunity to diseases from antibodies in its mother's milk but its own immune system is not fully developed.

   The actual age at which the immunity gap develops depends on the amount of maternally derived antibody (MDA) transferred to each kitten.

   2008, E. A. Chandler, R. M. Gaskell, C. J. Gaskell, Feline Medicine and Therapeutics, page 15

   2 more examples

   The entry of E. coli in a protein-rich medium into the small intestine, which has a damaged surface from the switch to solid feed, at a time when the pig's immune response is normally low (the immunity gap), presents a high risk for a secretory diarrhea.

   2007, Neville G. Gregory, Temple Grandin, Animal Welfare and Meat Production, page 104

   Prior to this, young animals face an 'immunity gap': passive immunity is reduced and the animal's own immune system is not yet fully capable of combating pathogens.

   2021, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Animal nutrition strategies and options to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal production, page 11

2. epidemiologyThe time period between when an individual's or a population's immunity to a virus has waned (due to normal decrease in immune response over time or to the development of a new strain of the virus) and before a new vaccine can be given to boost immunity.

   Thus with the usual booster (third dose) at 5-6 months there is only a small risk of an immunity gap.

   2016, David E. Swayne, Animal Influenza, page 530

   2 more examples

   However, an immunity gap in adults coupled with the presence of large numbers of susceptible children and adolescents creates the potential for an extensive epidemic.

   2009, Michael R. Dobbs, Clinical Neurotoxicology, page 437

   While prior studies in Pakistan indicated near universal exposure to hepatitis A by age 14 years, the incidence of acute hepatitis A among adults has increased in recent years, indicating an immunity gap.

   2022, Walter A. Orenstein, Paul A. Offit, Kathryn M. Edwards, Plotkin's Vaccines, page 902

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see immunity, gap.

   In other words, there currently exists a Good Samaritan immunity gap between and among the states.

   2000, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Commerce. Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, Saving Lives: The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, page 26