Immunization and vaccination are both terms used to refer to the administration of a vaccine, which is a medical product that helps to confer immunity against a particular disease. However, the terms are not interchangeable. Vaccination is the specific act of administering a vaccine, while immunization is the broader term that describes the process of becoming immune to a disease due to the administration of a vaccine.
When a person receives a vaccine, he or she is exposed to the weakened or killed form of a certain virus or bacteria. This exposure causes the body to produce antibodies to protect against infection, without actually becoming ill. The antibodies produced remain in the body and can protect against future infections. This process is known as immunization.
The terms immunization and vaccination are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. Vaccination is the specific act of administering a vaccine, while immunization is the broader term that encompasses the entire process of becoming immune to a disease due to the administration of a vaccine. Immunization is the desired outcome of a successful vaccination, and it is the result of a vaccine’s ability to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies.