immunization

A technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.

Sometimes called vaccination; a shot or injection that protects a person from getting an illness by making the person "immune" to it.

The process or procedure by which a subject (person, animal, or plant) is rendered immune, or resistant to a specific disease. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation, although the act of inoculation does not always result in immunity.

The production of immunity in an individual by artificial means. Active immunization involves the introduction, either orally or by infection, of specially treated bacteria, viruses or their toxins so as to stimulate the production of antibodies. See: passive immunity.