Sunday, April 26, 2015

Medical Q&A #2 - Immunisation

Common questions

What is the difference between the terms inoculation, vaccination and immunisation?


The three terms apply in slightly different ways to the same technique : building the body's defences against specific diseases. 
Inoculation is the intentional introduction into the body (usually by injections which are often referred to as shots) of harmless bacteria or viruses to stimulate the production of natural disease-fighting substances known as antibodies. 
Vaccination strictly refers only to the introduction of smallpox vaccine into a scratch on the skin, but is often used more loosely to cover inoculation as well.
Immunisation is the term used for the process of providing 'immunity' (the protected state) by means of inoculation or vaccination. Repeated inoculations, called boosters, may be required at various times to stimulate the existing immunity against a specific disease.

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