vaccines

Disease prevention injections

Vaccines are preparations that stimulate the immune system to produce protection against specific diseases.

They typically contain weakened or killed pathogens, or components of them, training the body to recognize and fight future infections.

The polio vaccine virtually eliminated the disease in developed countries.

Vaccines can also target non-infectious conditions: a cancer vaccine.

The verb vaccinate means to administer a vaccine.

immunization

antibodies

Proteins targeting pathogens

immunityProtected from harm
boosterSomething that increases strength
shotsSmall poured drinks

jabs · injection · syringe · vial · dose · herd immunity · antigen · adjuvant · serum · immunogen

disease

pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms

virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
measlesContagious viral rash illness

smallpox · polio · rabies · tetanus · influenza · hepatitis · pertussis · diphtheria · rubella · mumps

publichealth

epidemics

Widespread disease outbreaks

pandemicsDiseases spanning whole continents
outbreaksSudden widespread occurrences
preventionStopping something before occurring

eradication · surveillance · WHO · CDC · campaigns · mandates · exemptions · hesitancy · misinformation · coverage

development

clinical trials

Controlled health research experiments

efficacyAbility to produce results
safetyFreedom from harm
formulationDevised mixture or expression

biologics · mRNA · attenuated · inactivated · live · recombinant · viral vector · cold chain · storage · approval

reactions

side effects

Unintended treatment consequences

feverElevated body temperature
sorenessTender, painful sensation
rednessCrimson-hued state

swelling · fatigue · anaphylaxis · allergy · contraindications · monitoring · rare · mild · severe · myocarditis

Categories

Innovationselectricity, steam engine, printing press, telephone, telegraph
human achievementsinventions, discoveries, monuments, art, architecture
Medical Sciencegenetics, immunology, antibiotics, penicillin, DNA
public healthdisease prevention, immunization, disease control, health education, epidemiology
vaccinationimmunization, shot, shots, inoculation, jab
vaccinesPfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, flu shot, Johnson & Johnson

Opposites

medical intervention type

vaccinescures

Remedies that heal

treatments · therapeutics · remedies · antibiotics · antivirals

stance toward vaccination

vaccinesanti-vax

Against protective injections

anti-vaccination · vaccine refusal · anti-vaxxers · vaccine hesitancy · vaccine exemptions

disease causation vs. prevention

vaccinespathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms

viruses · bacteria · infectious agents · toxins · contagions

Phrases

vaccine mandatesLaws requiring protective shots
flu vaccineInjection preventing influenza
COVID vaccineInjection against coronavirus disease
vaccine hesitancyReluctance to accept immunization
vaccine passportProof of inoculation status
rabies vaccineInoculation against fatal neurological virus

Family

vaccine, vaccination, vaccinate, vaccinated, vaccinating, vaccinations, vaccinates, vaccinators, vaccinator

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G