vaccinate

American  

[vak-suh-neyt] / ˈvæk səˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

vaccinated, vaccinating

1. to inoculate with the vaccine of cowpox so as to render the subject immune to smallpox.

2. to inoculate with the modified virus of any of various other diseases, as a preventive measure.

---

verb (used without object)

vaccinated, vaccinating

1. to perform or practice vaccination.

vaccinate British  

/ ˈvæksɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to inoculate (a person) with a vaccine so as to produce immunity against a specific disease

---

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

After accounting for differences in health status and demographic factors, those who had received the shingles vaccine showed slower overall biological aging compared to participants who were not vaccinated.

From Science Daily

She also dodged when asked if she’d encourage parents to get their children vaccinated against measles.

From The Wall Street Journal

It had previously been thought that vaccinating children against chickenpox would cause a problematic rise in the linked condition shingles, but a recent long-term study from the US disproved that theory.

From BBC

In a village where nature and the outdoors form the backbone of daily life, for example, few people are vaccinated against rabies.

From Barron's

In contrast, vaccinated mice lost far less weight, all survived, and their lungs contained little virus.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• immunize
• inject
• inoculate
• protect
• treat