What procedure is often administered to prevent infections by introducing antigens into the body?

Immunization is a procedure designed to prevent infections by introducing antigens into the body. This process primes the immune system to recognize and respond to specific pathogens, providing the body with the ability to fight off infections effectively in the future. The antigens can be in the form of killed or weakened pathogens, or pieces of the pathogen such as proteins, which stimulate the immune response without causing the disease. As a result, when the real pathogen enters the body, the immune system can quickly identify and combat it, significantly reducing the likelihood of illness.

In contrast, antibody therapy involves administering antibodies to a person, which helps fight off infections but does not involve introducing antigens. Dialysis is a medical procedure used to remove waste products from the blood when the kidneys fail, and rehabilitation focuses on recovery and improving functionality after injury or illness. These other options do not serve the same purpose as immunization and therefore are not relevant to preventing infections through antigen introduction.