vaccinate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
Running out of options, a large number of livestock farmers have proceeded to vaccinate their flocks -- even though Greek authorities have not approved the procedure.
From Barron's
She had contracted meningococcal type B meningitis despite being fully vaccinated.
From BBC
Skelly said she was considering vaccinating her ewes and lambs against bluetongue virus - a disease spread by biting midges that had previously been confined to Africa.
From BBC
Experts say the case for whether to routinely vaccinate teenagers against MenB is complicated.
From BBC
People living with heart disease who received a shingles vaccine experienced nearly half the rate of serious heart-related events within a year compared with those who were not vaccinated.
From Science Daily
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.
