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

3227 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How does sweat cool the body down? (2 marks)


Can you please describe 3 cell structures that a plant cell has that an animal cell does not have.


What is diffusion, and what are the factors that affect the rate of diffusion


What are the main similarities and differences between DNA and RNA?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences