inoculation
COMPARE MEANINGS
Origin of inoculation
OTHER WORDS FROM inoculation
nonĀ·inĀ·ocĀ·uĀ·laĀ·tion, nounpostĀ·inĀ·ocĀ·uĀ·laĀ·tion, adjectivereĀ·inĀ·ocĀ·uĀ·laĀ·tion, nounself-inĀ·ocĀ·uĀ·laĀ·tion, nounWords nearby inoculation
INOCULATION VS. VACCINATION VS. IMMUNIZATION
Whatās the difference between inoculation, vaccination, and immunization?
In the context of medicine, the words inoculation, vaccination, and immunization are often used in overlapping ways, and for good reasonāthey all involve the process of introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a personās 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 itās typically used interchangeably with vaccination (though itās used less commonly).
Immunization is slightly differentāit 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 āforgetsā 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 Iām scheduled to get a vaccination on Friday. The word immunization can be used in the same way to refer to such a vaccination when itās 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 inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize.
Quiz yourself on inoculation vs. vaccination vs. immunization!
True or False?
The words inoculation, vaccination, and immunization can be correctly used in some overlapping ways.
How to use inoculation in a sentence
Scientific definitions for inoculation
Other words from inoculation
inoculate verbCultural definitions for inoculation
The introduction of an antigen into the body, usually by injection, in order to stimulate the production of antibodies to produce immunity to an infectious disease. (See immunization.)