immunization
gb/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
medical process of giving vaccines
The medical process of protecting a person or animal from a disease by giving a vaccine.
Usage pattern:
to receive immunization against [disease]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "immunization" with "immunity". "Immunization" is the process (usually getting a vaccine), while "immunity" is the state of being protected from a disease. They also often think "immunization" and "vaccination" are different processes; in most everyday contexts, they mean the same thing.
Synonyms
vaccination (Almost the same meaning and more common in everyday speech; often preferred in general contexts.)
|
inoculation (Similar medical term, slightly more formal or technical and less common in everyday conversation.)
Antonyms
infection (While not a direct action opposite, it is the situation immunization is meant to prevent.)
Collocations
childhood immunization
|immunization program
|immunization campaign
|immunization schedule
|immunization coverage
|routine immunization
Themes
health
|medicine
|public health
Examples
- Immunization has dramatically reduced the number of children who die from measles each year.
- The government launched a nationwide immunization campaign against polio.
- Regular immunization is one of the most effective tools in public health.
- Parents are encouraged to keep a record of their child’s immunization.
- Access to basic immunization remains limited in some rural areas.
Learner examples
- Immunization helps your body fight disease.
- Many countries offer free immunization for children.
- You should check your immunization before you travel abroad.
- The clinic provides immunization on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Immunization can stop the spread of serious illness.
Noun
B2
entity
2
a specific vaccine shot
One vaccine shot or visit when a person gets a vaccine.
Usage pattern:
to get an immunization for [disease]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that "immunization" can be countable in this sense. It is natural to say "three immunizations" when talking about separate vaccine visits or doses. They also sometimes use "immunization" when they mean "immune system"; these are different ideas.
Synonyms
shot (Very common informal word in American English for a single injection of a vaccine.)
|
jab (Common informal word, especially in British English, for a single injection of a vaccine.)
Antonyms
noncompliance (Refers to not following recommended medical rules, such as not getting required immunizations.)
Collocations
get an immunization
|school immunizations
|required immunizations
|travel immunizations
|booster immunizations
|missed immunizations
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The baby cried during her first immunization but quickly calmed down.
- You will need two more immunizations before your child can start school.
- I booked my travel immunizations six weeks before my trip to Southeast Asia.
- These immunizations are required for all new employees in the hospital.
- He brought his immunization record to the university health center.
Learner examples
- I got three immunizations this year.
- These immunizations are needed for my new job.
- She will get an immunization for flu tomorrow.
- The nurse gave the child an immunization in the arm.
- You must show proof of immunization at the school office.
Noun
technical
C1
action
3
financial protection from interest-rate risk
In finance, a way to build an investment portfolio so that interest rate changes do not hurt its value or future payments.
Usage pattern:
immunization of [portfolio] against interest rate risk
Common mistake:
Learners may assume "immunization" always refers to medicine and fail to recognize this technical financial meaning. The context of finance, bonds, and interest rates signals this specialized sense.
Synonyms
hedging (A broader financial term for reducing risk; immunization is a more specific type of hedging against interest rate movements.)
Antonyms
speculation (Focuses on taking risk to seek higher returns, rather than protecting against interest rate risk.)
Collocations
portfolio immunization
|immunization strategy
|duration immunization
|immunization against interest rate risk
|bond immunization
Themes
finance
|economics
|business
Examples
- Duration matching is a common technique used for portfolio immunization.
- The fund manager implemented immunization to ensure the assets would cover future pension payments.
- Immunization can help insurers manage interest rate risk in their fixed-income portfolios.
Learner examples
- The company used immunization to protect its bond investments.
- Immunization in finance means protecting money from interest rate changes.
- Students learned about portfolio immunization in their finance class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
immunization
IPA
GB/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
im - mun - iz - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: immunization
- Plural: immunization, immunizations
Word family
Forms
immunizations
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
susceptible
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
immunization campaign
1/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən kæmpˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
short-term drive to vaccinate people
A strong, often short-time effort to give vaccines to many people, often with ads and special clinics.
Examples
- Health workers launched an emergency immunization campaign after the outbreak.
- The measles immunization campaign targeted all children under five.
immunization coverage
1/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən kˈʌvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
percentage of people vaccinated
The share of people in a group who have received the vaccines they are supposed to get.
Examples
- Immunization coverage has increased to over 90% in the last decade.
- Low immunization coverage in some regions leaves many children at risk.
immunization program
1/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
organized plan for giving vaccines
An organized plan by a government or group to give vaccines to many people or animals.
Examples
- The national immunization program has nearly eliminated polio in the country.
- Funding cuts have threatened the childhood immunization program in rural areas.
immunization schedule
1/ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən skˈɛd͡ʒul/
fixed phrase
recommended timing for vaccines
The official plan that shows when babies, children, or adults should get each vaccine.
Examples
- Parents can download the national immunization schedule from the health ministry’s website.
- Your doctor will help you update your child’s immunization schedule if any shots were missed.
mass immunization campaign
1/mˈæs ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən kæmpˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
large-scale national vaccination drive
A very big effort to give vaccines to a large number of people, often across a whole region or country.
Examples
- The government announced a mass immunization campaign to stop the spread of the new virus.
- Volunteers helped during the mass immunization campaign in remote villages.
routine immunization
1/ɹutˈin ˌɪmjunɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
regularly scheduled standard vaccines
Vaccines that are normally given on a regular plan, not only during an emergency or special campaign.
Examples
- Improving routine immunization is key to preventing future outbreaks.
- The clinic offers routine immunization services every weekday.