How Do You Spell REVACCINATION?

Pronunciation: [ɹɪvˌaksɪnˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA)

Revaccination, /riːvæk.səˈneɪ.ʃən/, is the act of receiving a vaccine again after a certain interval. The word consists of three parts: "re" meaning "again", "vaccination" meaning "administering a vaccine", and the suffix "-tion" indicating an action or a process. The stress falls on the second syllable, "vac", which is why the "c" is followed by a "double c". The pronunciation of the word involves a long "i" sound, as well as a soft "s" and a stress on the final syllable, "-tion."

REVACCINATION Meaning and Definition

1. Revaccination is a term used in the field of medicine, specifically in the context of immunization. It refers to the process of administering additional doses of a vaccine to an individual who has previously received one or more doses of the same vaccine. The purpose of revaccination is to enhance and prolong the immune response against a particular infectious disease.

   Vaccination is a well-established method of providing immunity against various pathogens by introducing weakened or inactivated forms of the disease-causing organism or its components into the body. This enables the immune system to recognize and eliminate these agents more efficiently, generating a protective response. However, the effectiveness of vaccines may wane over time due to factors such as natural decline in immune response or the emergence of new strains of the pathogen.

   Revaccination aims to counteract these challenges by reinforcing and boosting the immune system's memory and response. Depending on the vaccine and disease in question, revaccination schedules may vary. For example, certain vaccines, such as tetanus, require periodic boosters to maintain effective protection. In contrast, some vaccines provide long-lasting immunity and may not require revaccination for extended periods.

   Revaccination is an essential strategy in public health efforts to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. By bolstering immunity through repeated vaccinations, revaccination helps to safeguard individuals and communities from the potential risks associated with waning vaccine efficacy and the emergence of new strains.

2. Vaccination of a person previously successfully vaccinated.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Etymology of REVACCINATION

The word "revaccination" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "re-" meaning "again" or "back" and "vaccinare" meaning "to vaccinate". The suffix "-ation" is added to indicate the act or process of vaccinating again. Hence, "revaccination" refers to the action of administering a second or subsequent dose of a vaccine to enhance or maintain immunization against a particular disease.

Plural form of REVACCINATION is REVACCINATIONS