Vax & Imm Exam 2 (10/31 COVID-19)

How do adjuvants enhance the efficacy of protein subunit vaccines?

By boosting the body's immune response to the antigen.

How does a protein vaccine trigger an immune response?

By introducing a harmless piece of the virus to the immune system.

Why are developing countries more susceptible to COVID variants?

Due to slower vaccine rollout, there's less herd immunity.

What ethical consideration is crucial in global vaccine distribution?

Ensuring equitable access to vaccines regardless of a country's wealth.

What long-term economic consequence has the COVID-19 pandemic caused?

Global recession and significant job losses.

What is a key factor that contributed to the rapid global spread of COVID-19?

International travel and asymptomatic transmission.

Why is no risk of genome integration a benefit of mRNA and protein vaccines?

It eliminates concerns about potential long-term genetic effects.

How does the J&J vaccine's technology differ from mRNA vaccines?

It is a live attenuated vaccine that provides long-lasting immunity often with one dose.

How did South Korea's experience with MERS help its COVID-19 response?

It led to better preparedness and legal frameworks for tracking and isolation.

Why is mucosal immunity an important aspect of some vaccines?

It provides a first line of defense at the entry points for pathogens.

How does social distancing contribute to public health during the pandemic?

It reduces the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact.

What is the dosage and immunity advantage of live attenuated vaccines?

Live attenuated vaccines often provide long-term immunity with a single dose.

What early symptom is linked to COVID-19 infection but not vaccination?

Loss of taste or smell.

What is a common side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines?

Mild to moderate short-term side effects like soreness at the injection site.

What function does nanoparticle coating serve in mRNA vaccines?

Nanoparticle coating helps deliver the mRNA into the cell, which is crucial for the vaccine's effectiveness.

What storage benefit do protein vaccines offer compared to mRNA vaccines?

Protein vaccines are stable at refrigerator temperatures, simplifying storage and distribution.

What distinguishes a protein subunit vaccine from an mRNA vaccine?

Protein vaccines use a virus piece without genetic material, while mRNA vaccines use genetic instructions to produce a viral protein.

How does social distancing contribute to pandemic management?

Social distancing limits close contact between individuals, reducing the spread of the virus.

How did South Korea's handling of MERS enhance its COVID-19 response?

South Korea's MERS experience led to improved legal and health infrastructures for pandemic management.

What is a key process in the public health response to COVID-19?

Test, Trace, and Isolate to control the spread of the virus.

What is a benefit of the rapid development process of mRNA vaccines?

The ability to address a pandemic in a timely manner.

What has the COVID-19 pandemic revealed about public healthcare systems?

The need for robust preparedness and rapid response capabilities.

What does the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate about international healthcare cooperation?

The pandemic highlights the necessity of global collaboration for effective response and containment.

What ethical challenges arise with the swift development of COVID-19 vaccines?

The rapid vaccine development brings challenges in ensuring fair and equitable global access.

What is the advantage of mRNA vaccines in responding to new virus strains?

They can be quickly adapted to new genetic sequences of the virus.

Why might live attenuated vaccines not be suitable for immunocompromised individuals?

They can potentially cause disease in these individuals.

What is a detriment of live attenuated vaccines despite their strong immune response?

They can revert to a harmful form, although it's rare.

Why are mRNA vaccines considered safer than live attenuated vaccines?

They do not contain live virus and cannot cause disease.

Why is the risk of side effects lower with protein subunit vaccines compared to live vaccines?

They do not contain live virus and have a more targeted immune response.

How do nanoparticle coatings aid in vaccine delivery?

They enable the vaccine to enter cells, mimicking the virus entry mechanism.

What is the role of booster vaccinations in managing COVID-19?

They help to maintain herd immunity and extend protection over time.

What is a key benefit of live attenuated vaccines in achieving herd immunity?

They prompt a strong immune response that closely resembles natural infection.

What is a significant challenge in the distribution of mRNA vaccines?

They require ultracold storage due to their instability at higher temperatures.

How do mRNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccine approaches?

They use in-vitro transcription of genetic material rather than inactivated or weakened pathogens.

Why do primers in COVID-19 tests need to bind to a conserved region?

To ensure a negative result truly indicates no viral RNA present.

What is the purpose of contact tracing in controlling COVID-19?

To identify and manage exposed individuals to prevent further transmission.

Why do protein subunit vaccines often require booster shots?

To maintain long-term immunity as the initial immune response may wane over time.

What distinguishes antibodies from vaccination and infection in blood tests?

Vaccination antibodies are specific to the spike protein, whereas infection antibodies target various viral proteins.

Why is vaccine equity essential during a pandemic?

Vaccine equity is vital to prevent the spread and mutation of the virus on a global scale.

Why is cold chain management critical for mRNA vaccines?

mRNA vaccines require ultra-cold storage to preserve their stability and efficacy.