trivalent
adjective
tri·va·lent
(ˌ)trī-ˈvā-lənt 
1
: having a chemical valence of three
2
: conferring immunity to three different pathogenic strains or species
a trivalent influenza vaccine
Examples of trivalent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The shot is trivalent, which means it was designed to help protect against three flu strains — influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria virus.
—
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Some epidemiologists suggest reversing the switch and returning to trivalent OPV for routine immunizations.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
For instance, trivalent chrome uses a different form of chromium and a simpler process.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 14 June 2024
Due to the disappearance of the B/Yamagata lineage from circulation, WHO has recommended a trivalent influenza vaccine composition without B/Yamagata for 2024/2025 vaccines.
—Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024
That could effectively open up one of the seats in the vaccines, dropping them next season from quadrivalent formulations – targeting four different antigens in a single shot – to trivalent.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024
But the makers of quadrivalent vaccines largely only have licenses to make quadrivalent vaccines—not trivalent ones.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
But whether that’s easy or difficult to do will depend on whether flu vaccine manufacturers still have licenses for former trivalent formulations.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Sep. 2023
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Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Some epidemiologists suggest reversing the switch and returning to trivalent OPV for routine immunizations.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
For instance, trivalent chrome uses a different form of chromium and a simpler process.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 14 June 2024
Due to the disappearance of the B/Yamagata lineage from circulation, WHO has recommended a trivalent influenza vaccine composition without B/Yamagata for 2024/2025 vaccines.
—Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024
That could effectively open up one of the seats in the vaccines, dropping them next season from quadrivalent formulations – targeting four different antigens in a single shot – to trivalent.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024
But the makers of quadrivalent vaccines largely only have licenses to make quadrivalent vaccines—not trivalent ones.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
But whether that’s easy or difficult to do will depend on whether flu vaccine manufacturers still have licenses for former trivalent formulations.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Trivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trivalent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
trivalent
1 of 2 adjective
tri·va·lent
(ˈ)trī-ˈvā-lənt
1
: having a chemical valence of three
2
: conferring immunity to three different pathogenic strains or species
a trivalent influenza vaccine
trivalent
2 of 2 noun
: a group of three synapsed homologous chromosomes in meiosis
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