Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To make immune or resistant to a specific disease, typically by administering a vaccine: The primary meaning refers to the medical process of inducing immunity through vaccination.
   • To grant legal immunity from prosecution: A formal, legal meaning where someone is officially protected from legal action.

Usage and Examples

• Medical Context (to vaccinate):
  • Public health campaigns aim to immunise children against measles, mumps, and rubella.
  • It is crucial to immunise the population before the flu season begins.
• Legal Context (to grant immunity):
  • The witness was immunised in exchange for their testimony against the main suspect.

Advanced Usage

• "To immunise someone against something": This is the standard construction for the medical meaning.
  • The new vaccine could help immunise people against the emerging virus.
• Passive Voice: Commonly used to describe the state of being protected.
  • Children should be fully immunised before starting school.

Variants and Related Words

• Immunisation (noun, UK spelling) / Immunization (noun, US spelling): The act or process of making someone immune.
  • The immunisation programme has been very successful.
• Immunity (noun): The state of being immune.
  • Vaccination provides immunity to the disease.
• Immuniser (noun) / Immunizer (noun): An agent or person that immunises.
• Immunogenic (adjective): Capable of producing an immune response.

Synonyms

• Vaccinate: To administer a vaccine to produce immunity.
• Inoculate: To introduce a microorganism or vaccine into a living organism to induce immunity.
• Protect (against): To keep safe from harm, including disease.

Antonyms

• Susceptibilise / Sensitise: To make more likely to be affected or harmed by something.
• Endanger: To expose to danger or harm.

Notes on Spelling and Usage

• Spelling: The word is spelled immunise in British English and immunize in American English. The 's' (UK) and 'z' (US) distinction applies to all related forms (e.g., immunisation/immunization).
• Formality: The medical meaning is standard in general and scientific language. The legal meaning is formal and specific to legal contexts.

Verb

1. perform vaccinations or produce immunity in by inoculation
   • We vaccinate against scarlet fever
   • The nurse vaccinated the children in the school
2. law: grant immunity from prosecution