vaccinate

Everyday

To give a person or animal a vaccine, usually by injection, so that their body learns to fight a disease before catching it. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons, vaccinating helps the immune system make defences, so people are protected from illnesses like measles, polio or flu. Pets are vaccinated at the vet too. Phrases: get vaccinated, be vaccinated against something.

Examples

• The nurse vaccinated the children against measles. tree →
• Our puppy was vaccinated at the vet. tree →
• Have you been vaccinated against flu this year? tree →
• Doctors vaccinate babies to protect them. tree →
• Vaccinating many people stops a disease spreading. tree →
• Farmers vaccinate their cows too. tree →

Note

Say «vaccinated against» a disease. The thing given is a «vaccine»; the act is a «vaccination». It is spelled with double c. A vaccine prevents illness; it is not a cure for an illness you already have.