immunization
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OTHER WORDS FROM immunization
hy·per·im·mu·ni·za·tion, nounnon·im·mu·ni·za·tion, nounWords nearby immunization
IMMUNIZATION VS. VACCINATION VS. INOCULATION
Whatâs 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 reasonâthey all involve the process of introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a personâs 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 itâs typically used interchangeably with vaccination (though itâs used less commonly).
Immunization is slightly differentâit 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 âforgetsâ 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 Iâm scheduled to get a vaccination on Friday. The word immunization can be used in the same way to refer to such a vaccination when itâs 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.