vaccinia

vaccinia definition - medical

vac·cin·i·a (văk-sĭnˈē-ə)

noun
  1. See cowpox.
  2. An infection induced in humans by inoculation with the vaccinia virus in order to confer resistance to smallpox; it is usually limited to the site of inoculation. Also called primary reaction.

Related Forms:

  • vac·cinˈi·al adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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