Vaccinatable

Vaccinatable is an adjective used in public health and medicine to describe individuals or populations that are eligible to receive a vaccine under current guidelines. It denotes the capacity to be immunized, distinct from those who are not indicated for vaccination or who have contraindications.

Eligibility for vaccination depends on factors such as age, health status, pregnancy, and prior medical history. Most vaccines are recommended for specific age groups or risk categories, and local or national guidelines may specify catch-up schedules. Some conditions can temporarily or permanently render someone non-vaccinatable, including a history of severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component or to a previous dose, certain severe immunodeficiencies, or other medical contraindications. In pregnancy, recommendations vary by vaccine; live vaccines are generally avoided in certain immunocompromised states. Acute moderate or severe illness may lead to deferral in some cases, while mild illnesses are often not a contraindication, though recommendations can differ by vaccine.

In public health practice, the vaccinatable population is used to plan and evaluate vaccination programs and to calculate coverage rates. It helps identify target groups for campaigns and to distinguish between those who can be vaccinated and those for whom vaccination is not appropriate at a given time. The term complements concepts such as vaccine eligibility, contraindication, and herd immunity.

Etymology: formed from vaccine and the suffix -able, mirroring similar terms indicating capacity or suitability. See also vaccination, vaccine contraindication, and public health vaccination guidelines.