vaccinate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to inoculate with the vaccine of cowpox so as to render the subject immune to smallpox.
-
to inoculate with the modified virus of any of various other diseases, as a preventive measure.
verb (used without object)
verb
Usage
What’s the difference between vaccinate, inoculate, and immunize? In the context of medicine, vaccinate, inoculate, and immunize are often used in overlapping ways, and for good reason—they all involve introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a person’s body with the goal of preventing them from getting a particular disease.Vaccinate is the most specific of the three terms, because it always involves introducing a vaccine, which usually consists of a small amount of a killed, weakened, or otherwise modified version of a disease (such as a virus or bacterium). While inoculate has other meanings outside the context of medicine, in modern healthcare it’s typically used interchangeably with vaccinate (though it’s used less commonly).Immunize is slightly different—it means to provide immunity from a specific disease. While the goal of vaccinating someone is often to immunize them, not all vaccines provide permanent immunity. Some vaccines provide what amounts to long-term immunity, while others only lead to a temporary protection, after which the body “forgets” how to make certain antibodies. In these cases, a booster shot or dose is often required, consisting of a follow-up vaccination to boost or renew the protection gained from the earlier vaccination.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between vaccinate, inoculate, and immunize.
Other Word Forms
- prevaccinate verb (used with object)
- revaccinate verb (used with object)
- unvaccinated adjective
- vaccinator noun
Etymology
Origin of vaccinate
First recorded in 1800–10; back formation from vaccination
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Officials are urging the public, especially those at higher risk for severe flu complications such as the very young and older populations, to get vaccinated or take immediate antiviral treatment, such as Tamifu.
From Los Angeles Times
The parents of a boy who became so unwell with flu he spent three weeks in intensive care are urging other families to get their children vaccinated against the virus.
From BBC
Still, doctors recommend getting vaccinated to reduce the severity of the flu.
It doesn’t want to spend money vaccinating children against bugs they are unlikely to encounter, even if they could be hospitalized if they do.
An overhaul of US childhood immunisation guidelines has dropped the number of diseases children should be vaccinated against from 17 to 11.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
