Vaccinology
/ˌvæk.sɪˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The scientific study of vaccines, vaccination, and the development of immunization strategies.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces to Latin vacca, meaning “cow,” because Edward Jenner used material from cowpox lesions to protect people against smallpox.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
vacca
“Cow; the root associated with the word vaccine.”
1798
English
vaccine
“Jenner’s protective material derived from cowpox, named from Latin vacca, “cow.””
19th Century
English
vaccination
“The practice of inoculating against smallpox or other disease using vaccine material.”
Late 19th–Early 20th Century
Greek/English
-logy
“A field of study, from Greek -λογία, “study” or “discourse.””
20th Century
English
vaccinology
“The scientific discipline concerned with vaccines, immunization, and vaccine development.”