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Vaccine

vak-SEEN /ˈvæksiːn/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

generalmedical

A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease.

The biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. It's the agent used in immunization.

The story behind the word. This word has a truly fascinating and somewhat quirky origin! 'Vaccine' comes from the Latin word 'vacca,' meaning 'cow.' Why a cow? Because the pioneering work of Edward Jenner in the late 18th century involved using material from cowpox lesions (a mild disease in cows) to protect people against the deadly smallpox. He called his method 'vaccination' (from 'vacca'), and the protective substance became known as a 'vaccine.' So, every vaccine carries a little bit of cow history!

Word relationships

immunization shot: More colloquial, refers to the injection itself.

Commonly confused with

immunization: A vaccine is the substance used to achieve immunization. Immunization is the process or state of becoming immune.

Word family

vaccinate (verb): To treat with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
vaccination (noun): The act of vaccinating.

Collocations

flu vaccine
MMR vaccine
COVID-19 vaccine
develop a vaccine
administer a vaccine

Example sentences

"The new vaccine promises to offer long-lasting protection against the flu virus." The new vaccine promises to offer long-lasting protection against the flu virus.
"Children receive a series of vaccines to protect them from common childhood diseases." Children receive a series of vaccines to protect them from common childhood diseases.
"Research into a malaria vaccine has been ongoing for decades, with promising results recently." Research into a malaria vaccine has been ongoing for decades, with promising results recently.

Memory hook

Think 'VACCINE' as 'VA-COW-IN' – it came from a COW, remember Jenner! Cow connection

When not to use

Do not use 'vaccine' when referring to the process of becoming immune (that's immunization) or the act of administering it (that's vaccination).

Fun facts

Edward Jenner's work with cowpox in 1796 is widely considered the foundation of vaccinology.
The eradication of smallpox in 1980 is one of the greatest public health achievements, made possible by global vaccination efforts.

Related words

Immunization, Preventative care

Explore more words

inoculate, inoculation, antibody, antigen, immunity, prophylactic

Also appears in

Technology → Medicine & Biotechnology