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Vaccination - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Vaccination : (noun)
1: taking a vaccine as a precaution against contracting a
disease [syn: inoculation]
2: the scar left following innoculation with a vaccine
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Vaccination : \Vac`ci*na"tion\, n.
The act, art, or practice of vaccinating, or inoculating with
the cowpox, in order to prevent or mitigate an attack of
smallpox. Cf. Inoculation.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Vaccination : Vaccination: Injection of a killed microbe in order to stimulate the immune system against the microbe, thereby preventing disease. Vaccinations, or immunizations, work by stimulating the
immune system, the natural disease-fighting system of the body. The healthy immune system is able to recognize invading bacteria and viruses and produce substances (antibodies) to destroy or disable
them. Immunizations prepare the immune system to ward off a disease. To immunize against viral diseases, the virus used in the vaccine has been weakened or killed. To only immunize against bacterial
diseases, it is generally possible to use a small portion of the dead bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process, it
has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be improved by periodic repeat injections or "boosters." Also see Vaccines (in the plural) and Vaccine of a specific type (such
Vaccine, Polio).
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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