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Vaccine / Vaccination

By Mark Cichocki, R.N., About.com

Created: October 10, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

Vaccine

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, or of a portion of the pathogen's structure that upon administration stimulates antibody production or cellular immunity against the pathogen but is incapable of causing severe infection.

Vaccination

The process of administering weakened or dead pathogens to a healthy person, with the intent of conferring immunity against the pathogen.

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