5 ms·

But official resources clearly call it a vaccine (and not just in the US either, same with e.g. NHS). And in reverse, aren't any vaccinations called the "xxx s

by detaro 4y ago

But official resources clearly call it a vaccine (and not just in the US either, same with e.g. NHS). And in reverse, aren't any vaccinations called the "xxx shot"(US english)/"xxx jab"(UK english)? E.g. I'm fairly sure I've seen people from the US say they need to get their "shots" for traveling (e.g. yellow fever if you go to at-risk countries)

yucky 4y ago
That hasn't been my experience. Children get their vaccines for school and we refer to those vaccines as being part of their vaccination records.
- dwaite 4y ago
  The differences can be explained by context and marketing. The place I went to had many signs saying that flu shots were available, while the person who administered it referred to it as a vaccine.
  - yucky 4y ago
    I don't think so since none of those vaccines we get as kids are only good for a season, and with limited effectiveness. I think that's the real reason, not marketing.
    - dwaite 4y ago
      Perhaps? Languages and common vernacular evolve in surprising ways. The use of 'shot' was originally meant to indicate that it is given via injection; however the word 'vaccine' may have become less common because rapid mutations result in new flu vaccine versions twice a year, and vaccination only gives a limited time resistance. It would make sense this would leads to a less formal vernacular. Since orally administered flu vaccines are in clinical trials, we might get to see vernacular evolve to accommodate them soon. All that said, "flu shot" is a common name for influenza vaccines. There is no requirement that a vaccine be highly effective or impart a long-term resistance. Rather, vaccines which are not safe and measurably effective are not desirable and thus tend to not be made available.
      - yucky 4y ago
SideburnsOfDoom 4y ago
> aren't any vaccinations called the "xxx shot"(US english)/"xxx jab"(UK english) Entirely correct. Flu jab = flu shot = anti-flu vaccination. This latter-day line that "if it doesn't provide 100% sterilising immunity then is it a really vaccine, hmm?" is intentionally a wedge statement, the thin edge of the anti-vax divisiveness, watered down so as to not be instantly dismissed.

by detaro 4y ago

yucky 4y ago

That hasn't been my experience. Children get their vaccines for school and we refer to those vaccines as being part of their vaccination records.

dwaite 4y ago
The differences can be explained by context and marketing. The place I went to had many signs saying that flu shots were available, while the person who administered it referred to it as a vaccine.
- yucky 4y ago
  I don't think so since none of those vaccines we get as kids are only good for a season, and with limited effectiveness. I think that's the real reason, not marketing.
  - dwaite 4y ago
    Perhaps? Languages and common vernacular evolve in surprising ways. The use of 'shot' was originally meant to indicate that it is given via injection; however the word 'vaccine' may have become less common because rapid mutations result in new flu vaccine versions twice a year, and vaccination only gives a limited time resistance. It would make sense this would leads to a less formal vernacular. Since orally administered flu vaccines are in clinical trials, we might get to see vernacular evolve to accommodate them soon. All that said, "flu shot" is a common name for influenza vaccines. There is no requirement that a vaccine be highly effective or impart a long-term resistance. Rather, vaccines which are not safe and measurably effective are not desirable and thus tend to not be made available.
    - yucky 4y ago

SideburnsOfDoom 4y ago

> aren't any vaccinations called the "xxx shot"(US english)/"xxx jab"(UK english) Entirely correct. Flu jab = flu shot = anti-flu vaccination. This latter-day line that "if it doesn't provide 100% sterilising immunity then is it a really vaccine, hmm?" is intentionally a wedge statement, the thin edge of the anti-vax divisiveness, watered down so as to not be instantly dismissed.