What does the term "immunization" refer to?

The term "immunization" specifically refers to the process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This involves the introduction of a vaccine into the body, which triggers the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens, effectively providing immunity against those diseases.

Immunization works by stimulating the body's defense mechanisms, allowing it to recognize and fight off infections without the individual contracting the disease. This is essential in public health for preventing the spread of communicable diseases and ensuring community immunity.

The other choices do not capture the essence of immunization accurately. While protecting against disease is a common goal of various treatments, it does not specifically denote the vaccination process. Documenting adverse reactions is related to vaccine safety monitoring but does not define immunization itself. Preparing a vaccine for administration is a component of the vaccination process but does not encompass the broader concept of immunization, which is fundamentally about the body’s response to vaccines and achieving disease protection.