vaccinate

[vak-suh-neyt]

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

/ ˈvæksɪˌneɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• vaccinator noun
• prevaccinate verb (used with object)
• revaccinate verb (used with object)
• unvaccinated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vaccinate¹

First recorded in 1800–10; back formation from vaccination

Example Sentences

Three weeks later, the vaccinated mice were exposed to melanoma.

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“After doing a proper shared decision-making conversation like you would do with any other vaccine, if the parent and/or the patient wants to be vaccinated, they’re going to vaccinate them,” Savoy said.

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However, in the UK there isn't a law compelling vaccination - so if both parents agree they don't want a child to be vaccinated, it would be unlikely to reach this verdict.

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It's possible to catch Covid again even if you have had it very recently, or have been vaccinated.

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The hope is that by vaccinating young children, they are not only protected from catching flu, but they will also not pass the virus on to others.

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Related Words

• immunize 
• inject 
• inoculate 
• protect 
• treat 

When To Use

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.