You have been consulted by the local health department about whether to augment

Question

You have been consulted by the local health department about whether to augment an existing vaccine program against bacterial meningitis by vaccinating more children. This concern arose after several school children developed meningitis in one school district. After analyzing descriptive epidemiologic data, you estimate that the R0, the basic reproductive number, is 2.5. You also determine that currently 45% of the community is immune due to vaccination. Which of the following statements is true, given this scenario? A change in the vaccine program is needed because meningitis is a potentially fatal disease. A change in the vaccine program is NOT needed because the Ro is very close to 1 A change in the vaccine program is needed because the prevalence of immunity (45%) is less than the herd immunity threshold (60%) needed to prevent the emergence of epidemics. A change in the vaccine program is needed because the Ro is greater than 1 A change in the vaccine program not needed because the prevalence of immunity (45%) is less than the herd immunity threshold (60%) needed to prevent the emergence of epidemics.

Explanation / Answer

A change in the vaccine programme is needed because the prevalence of immunity 45% is less than the herd immunity threshold 60% needed to prevent the emergence of epidemics.

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