Date last reviewed:
Monday, Jan 06, 2025
The terms vaccine, vaccination, and immunization are used throughout this website. Understanding what these terms mean and the difference between them can be helpful.
Vaccine
A vaccine is a medicine that helps protect the body from certain diseases by teaching your immune system to recognize and fight harmful germs, like viruses or bacteria. Most vaccines are given by injection (with a needle), but some can be taken by mouth or sprayed into your nose.
Example: All babies need the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.
Immunization
Immunization is the process of gaining protection against a disease, usually through the use of a vaccine. It can also refer to the act of receiving a vaccine. The term is often used interchangeably with 'vaccination.'
Example: Immunization has saved more lives in the past 50 years than any other health intervention.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the process of introducing a vaccine into the body to provide protection against a specific disease.
Example: It’s time to book your tetanus vaccination.