COVID-19 Immunisation and Vaccine Development

6 Supporting communication for the COVID-19 vaccination program with immunisation and vaccine development related terms

This glossary was developed to help community organisations, translators and interpreters, bilingual workers, and community leaders to better understand and communicate about COVID-19 vaccine development and implementation. Disclaimer This glossary aims to provide plain language meanings to complex medical terminology about immunisation and vaccine development. The information is to be used as a reference tool only. If you would like to provide feedback or add a new word or term to the list, please contact Vince Wang on vince.wang@health.nsw.gov.au

Adjuvant
noun
A vaccine component distinct from the antigen that enhances the immune response to the antigen.
Example: An adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines. It helps our bodies make a stronger immune response. The adjuvant works together with other parts of the vaccine. They have been used in some vaccines for over 70 years.
it: adiuvante
An adjuvant is a substance which is added to a vaccine with the aim of increasing the efficiency of that vaccine.
Adverse event (reaction)
phrase
An unexpected, unwanted, or serious reaction to a medication or vaccine.
Example: Any unexpected or serious effect that happens after a vaccine or medicine. Something that was not expected to happen.
it: Evento avverso (reazione)
A response to a drug which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or for the modifications of physiological function. WHO (1972)
Anaphylaxis
noun
An immediate and severe allergic reaction to a substance (e.g. food or drugs). Symptoms of anaphylaxis include breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and a drop in blood pressure. This condition can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.
Example: A quick and serious allergic reaction. This could be a reaction to food or medicine. Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and a drop in blood pressure. The person will need urgent medical attention and can sometimes die.
it: Anafilassi
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to venom, food, or medication.
Antibody
noun
A protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (e.g., viruses) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them.
Example: When the body gets sick or gets a vaccine, the body will make antibodies to protect it against that disease. The body can then recognise the germs when that same disease happens again.
it: Anticorpo
There is solid evidence emerging that COVID-19 patients are developing antibodies to the virus, as the human body does for most infectious pathogens.
Antigen
noun
A foreign substance which is detected by the immune system. The presence of antigens in the body triggers an immune response, usually the production of antibodies.
Example: Antigen is a foreign (external) substance like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that cause infection and disease if they get inside the body. The immune system detects them and produces antibodies to fight them.
it: Antigene
Any substance that induces the immune system to produce antibodies against it is called an antigen.
Asymptomatic
adjective
A person that is not showing symptoms
Example: He is asymptomatic and hence has no fever or any sign of infection and illness.
it: Asintomatica (feminine) Asintomatico (masculine)
Asymptomatic individuals carrying SARS-CoV-2 shed the virus longer than those with COVID-19 symptoms, with other lab findings suggesting the symptomatic patients mounted more robust immune responses, a small study in China found.