immunization

[ im-yuh-nuh-zey-shuhn, ih-myoo- ]

noun

1. the fact or process of becoming immune, as against a disease.
2. Finance. a method of protection against fluctuating bond interest rates by investing in securities having different yields and terms.

immunization

/ ĭm′yə-nĭ-zā′shən /

1. The process of inducing immunity to an infectious organism or agent in an individual or animal through vaccination .
2. A vaccination that induces immunity. A recommended schedule of immunizations for infants and young children includes vaccines against diphtheria, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella.

immunization

1. The process of inducing immunity , usually through inoculation or vaccination .

Notes

Frequently, schoolchildren are required by state law to be immunized against certain diseases. Because of such widespread immunization, many diseases that used to be fairly common, including smallpox , tetanus , and whooping cough , have become rare.

Other Words From

• hyper·immu·ni·zation noun
• nonim·mu·ni·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immunization¹

First recorded in 1890–95; immunize + -ation

Example Sentences

Federal health authorities have consistently maintained the immunizations are safe, effective and reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

From Los Angeles Times

Health care workers are battling a lack of immunizations compounded by a sanitation crisis.

From Salon

The immunizations are widely available, and the best time to get vaccinated is in September and October, the CDC says.

From Los Angeles Times

Though trust in the flu vaccine is higher than many other immunizations, less than half of U.S. adults sought a shot in the 2023-24 flu season, according to the CDC.

From Salon

And what about people who got infected recently or got the old immunization formula a couple of months ago?

From Los Angeles Times

Immunization Vs. Vaccination Vs. Inoculation

What’s the difference between immunization, vaccination, and inoculation?

In the context of medicine, the words immunization, vaccination, and inoculation are often used in overlapping ways, and for good reason—they all involve the process of introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a person’s body with the goal of preventing them from getting a particular disease.

Vaccination 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 inoculation has other meanings outside the context of medicine, in modern healthcare it’s typically used interchangeably with vaccination (though it’s used less commonly).

Immunization is slightly different—it refers to the process of providing 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.

Both vaccination and inoculation can refer to a shot or dose, as opposed to the process of providing or receiving such doses, as in I’m scheduled to get a vaccination on Friday. The word immunization can be used in the same way to refer to such a vaccination when it’s one that provides immunity, as in Have you received all of your immunizations?

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between immunize, vaccinate, and inoculate.

Quiz yourself on immunization vs. vaccination vs. inoculation!

True or False?

The words immunization, vaccination, and inoculation can be correctly used in some overlapping ways.