What affect do mutations to pathogens have on the effectiveness of vaccinations, and why is this important?

Mutations of pathogens produce new strains. Vaccinations may no longer be effective against these new strains. Vaccinations would kill non-resistant strain pathogens. However, resistant strain pathogens would survive and reproduce. This would cause the population of the resistant strain to increase. The resistant strain would spread rapidly because there is no effective treatment and people are not immune to it. Using antibiotics to treat non-serious infections, such as colds, can select for resistant strains of pathogens. Due to this, antibiotics are no longer used to treat non-serious infections in the UK

SR
Answered by Sophie R. Biology tutor

3438 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How does the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria provide evidence for evolution?


List 5 features of an animal cell and the function they have within the cell


Explain why a balanced diet is important for health and what a balanced diet consists of.


Name two types of effectors in the body, and the response that effector makes


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning