Vaccinate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring specifically to administering a vaccine to an individual to provide immunity against a disease.

• The clinic will vaccinate all children against measles next week.
• We need to vaccinate as many people as possible to achieve herd immunity.

Often used interchangeably with vaccinate, but can also refer to the introduction of any antigenic substance into the body. It is sometimes used in more technical or historical contexts.

• Doctors inoculate people to protect them from infectious diseases.
• In the 18th century, people used to inoculate with smallpox to induce immunity.

A more general term that refers to the process of making a person or animal immune to infection, typically through vaccination.

• Immunize your pets to prevent the spread of rabies.
• The government has launched a campaign to immunize the population against the flu.

A broader term that encompasses various methods to shield someone from disease, including but not limited to vaccination.

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
• Good hygiene is essential to protect against infections.

This term is commonly used in medical and everyday conversations to describe the process of giving vaccines to prevent diseases.

• Doctors recommend that all children be vaccinated against measles
• She decided to vaccinate her dog against rabies

Often used in clinical or scientific discussions, this word emphasizes the result of becoming immune to a disease, rather than the act itself.

• The campaign aims to immunize all citizens against influenza
• Researchers are working on new ways to immunize people against emerging viruses

Used in a general context, this word refers to safeguarding someone from harm or danger, including diseases. It has a broader meaning and is less specific to medical actions.

• Wearing a mask helps protect others from the spread of germs
• Parents want to protect their children from different types of illnesses

This term is slightly more technical and may be used in medical or historical contexts. It often refers to intentionally introducing a virus or bacteria into the body to stimulate an immune response.

• Doctors inoculate patients with weakened viruses to build immunity
• During the 18th century, people were inoculated against smallpox using a primitive method