pentavalent

[ pen-tuh-vey-luhnt, pen-tav-uh- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. having a valence of 5:

   pentavalent arsenic.

2. quinquevalent ( def 2 ).

pentavalent

/ ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt /

adjective

1. chem having a valency of five Alsoquinquevalent

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentavalent¹

First recorded in 1870–75; penta- + -valent

Example Sentences

The WHO said that only 57% of Nigerians are immunised with the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against five life-threatening diseases, including diphtheria.

From BBC

MenAfriVac is given to 1- to 29-year-olds, who are most vulnerable to bacterial meningitis; one possibility is to lower the upper age limit for the pentavalent vaccine.

From Science Magazine

All low-income countries have introduced vaccination against hepatitis B through the pentavalent vaccine, which also protects against four other potentially deadly infections: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib.

From Scientific American

Certainly, this is the case in Myanmar, where coverage for the third dose of pentavalent has recently risen to 90 per cent and Gavi has been providing support to help vaccinate all children, include the Rohingya.

From Scientific American

But the diseases prevented by the pentavalent vaccine kill many of the youngest infants.

From New York Times