Vaccine Definitions

Research by David Martin, PhD. with help from Kathleen Sheridan.

Iowa code ARC 1030C reads, “…the definition of “vaccine” has been amended to read as follows: “‘Vaccine’ means a specially prepared antigen administered to a person for the purpose of providing immunity.”  Iowa code goes so far as to say that “immunization” and “vaccine” are synonymous.

Washington State Code, Title 70, Chapter 70.290, Section 70.290.010, we see the following:  “(10) "Vaccine" means a preparation of killed or attenuated living microorganisms, or fraction thereof, that upon administration stimulates immunity that protects against disease and is approved by the federal food and drug administration as safe and effective and recommended by the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention for administration to children under the age of nineteen years.”

Florida code“Biological product” is a complex substance, preparation, or agent, derived from living organisms or animals, depending for its action on the processes effecting immunity, which is used as a vaccine or in the diagnosis and treatment of a disease. This term includes synthesized products of similar intended usage.

CDC’s definition of “vaccine”, including its admission that the term “immunization” is used interchangeable with “vaccine”. From the CDC site:

“Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease. If you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming infected.”

“Vaccine: A product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease.”

“Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.”