immunocompetent

American  

[im-yuh-noh-kom-pi-tnt, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm yə noʊˈkɒm pɪ tnt, ɪˌmyu- /

adjective

1. having the potential for immunologic response; capable of developing immunity after exposure to antigen.

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Other Word Forms

• immunocompetence noun

Etymology

Origin of immunocompetent

First recorded in 1970–75; immuno- + competent

Example Sentences

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that examined immunocompromised people who received mRNA vaccines found that vaccination was 77 percent effective against hospitalization with COVID, compared with 90 percent for immunocompetent people.

From Scientific American • Jan. 24, 2022

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that examined immunocompromised people who received mRNA vaccines found that vaccination was 77 percent effective against hospitalization with COVID, compared with 90 percent for immunocompetent individuals.

From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2021

This disease, which is caused by the human herpesvirus, is almost never observed in individuals with strong immune systems, such as the young and immunocompetent.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Once they are immunocompetent, the T and B cells will migrate to the spleen and lymph nodes where they will remain until they are called on during an infection.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

“If you are immunocompetent, you probably have very sporadic bouts of viral replication that your immune system immediately recognizes and brings under control,” says Gravitt.

From Nature • Aug. 29, 2012