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

Parents this year are also required to talk to a healthcare professional before their children can be vaccinated.

From Los Angeles Times

It instead ruled that dogs must be caught, vaccinated, sterilised and returned to their neighbourhood - but with a caveat that aggressive dogs and those carrying rabies should be moved to shelters.

From BBC

Pregnant women, as well as infants and young children, are advised to get vaccinated against it.

From BBC

Child health experts have said some parents may not vaccinate their children because they underestimate the seriousness of the disease.

From BBC

Younger people who do not say they have an underlying health condition may need to find a venue outside of a pharmacy — like a doctor’s office — to get vaccinated.

From Los Angeles Times

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.