LUMEN PRACTICE EXAMINATION · BIOLOGY
Module 7 · Infectious disease
Question 26(7 marks)
Evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination programs in controlling the spread of infectious disease.
Vaccination exposes the body to an antigen from the pathogen, so memory B and T cells are made. If the person is infected later, the secondary response is faster and stronger, so they don't get sick. When enough people are vaccinated, herd immunity protects those who can't be, which is how smallpox was eradicated. However, some people refuse vaccines, so measles outbreaks still happen. Overall, vaccination is very effective.
- 1Mechanism explained clearly.
- 2Herd immunity, backed by an example.
- 3Good limitation. Tie it to coverage: measles needs about 95%.
- 4Judgement is vague. How effective, and for which diseases? That's the top band.
To reach 6–7: make a judgement and support it. Weigh eradication (smallpox) against diseases vaccines only reduce, and say what decides it: coverage, cost, access and trust.