vaccinia

noun

vac·​cin·​ia vak-ˈsi-nē-ə How to pronounce vaccinia (audio)
1
or vaccinia virus : a poxvirus (species Vaccinia virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus) that differs from but is closely related to the viruses causing smallpox and cowpox and that includes a strain used in making vaccines against smallpox
2
: a reaction to smallpox vaccine prepared from live vaccinia virus that may involve a rash, fever, headache, and body pain
vaccinial adjective

Examples of vaccinia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Household members and others who come into close contact with the recipient are also at risk of developing vaccinia infection. Tom Inglesby, STAT, 12 Aug. 2022 In vaccinia viruses, these proteins have been shown to suppress early innate immune responses to promote viral replication. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 6 June 2022 In fact, all of the vaccinia that the team has found from old vaccines have resembled horsepox, which naturally brings up another question. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2022 The vaccinia of today is in fact capable of infecting multiple species. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2022 Generalized or widespread vaccinia infection can also occur. Tom Inglesby, STAT, 12 Aug. 2022 Older smallpox vaccines used a form of the vaccinia that could replicate, creating the risk of infection from the vaccine itself. Denise Roland, WSJ, 24 May 2022 This site is protected by recaptcha Privacy Policy | Terms of Service ACAM2000, which is manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions, relies on a live vaccinia virus that can replicate. Evan Bush, NBC News, 23 May 2022 For years, Jacobs has genetically modified vaccinia to create vaccines for other diseases, such as HIV. Amanda Morris, azcentral, 11 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vaccinia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "cowpox," from New Latin vaccina (in variolae vaccinae "cowpox") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at vaccine

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaccinia was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near vaccinia

Cite this Entry

“Vaccinia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccinia. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

vaccinia

noun
vac·​cin·​ia vak-ˈsin-ē-ə How to pronounce vaccinia (audio)
1
a
: cowpox
b
: a reaction to smallpox vaccine prepared from live vaccinia virus that may involve a rash, fever, headache, and body pain
2
or vaccinia virus : a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Vaccinia virus) that differs from but is closely related to the viruses causing smallpox and cowpox and that includes a strain of uncertain natural origin used in making vaccines against smallpox
vaccinial adjective

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