immunization
Americannoun
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the fact or process of becoming immune, as against a disease.
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Finance. a method of protection against fluctuating bond interest rates by investing in securities having different yields and terms.
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The process of inducing immunity to an infectious organism or agent in an individual or animal through vaccination.
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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.
Usage
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.
Discover More
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 Word Forms
- hyperimmunization noun
- nonimmunization noun
Etymology
Origin of immunization
Compare meaning
How does immunization compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Maternal vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy and passive immunization of newborns using long-acting antibodies are being rolled out in many countries.
From Science Daily
The Food and Drug Administration will upend its approach to immunizations for respiratory illnesses, including flu vaccines, according to an email to staff from vaccines division director Dr. Vinay Prasad.
The first circle of damage is the possibility that it will encourage more parents to resist immunizations for their children.
From Los Angeles Times
RSV immunization is also recommended for older adults, pregnant people and infants.
From Los Angeles Times
She questioned the childhood vaccine schedule and hepatitis B vaccination for babies last year on Joe Rogan’s podcast, though some in Kennedy’s movement have criticized her for not being adequately critical of immunizations.
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.
