A form of immunization in which killed or weakened microorganisms, or inactivated bacterial toxins, are introduced into the body, usually by injection, to sensitize the immune system (see vaccine). If disease-causing organisms or toxins of the same type later enter the body, the sensitized immune system rapidly produces antibodies that destroy them.
Injection of a vaccine to prevent certain diseases. (Syn. immunisation).
Named from vacca, Latin for cow, vaccination means inoculation with the material of cowpox, performed to a?ord protection to the inoculated person against an attack of SMALLPOX, or to reduce seriousness of, and averting a fatal result from, any such attack. The term is often used, inaccurately, to refer to IMMUNISATION.
n. a means of producing immunity to a disease by using a *vaccine, or a special preparation of antigenic material, to stimulate the formation of appropriate antibodies. The name was applied originally only to treatment with vaccinia (cowpox) virus, which gives protection not only against cowpox itself but also against the related smallpox. However, it is now used synonymously with inoculation as a method of *immunization against any disease. Vaccination is often carried out in two or three stages, as separate doses are less likely to cause unpleasant side-effects. A vaccine is usually given by injection but may be introduced into the skin through light scratches; for some diseases (such as polio), oral vaccines are available.... vaccination
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