Paradox of vaccination: is vaccination really effective against avian flu epidemics?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although vaccination can be a useful tool for control of avian influenza epidemics, it might engender emergence of a vaccine-resistant strain. Field and experimental studies show that some avian influenza strains acquire resistance ability against vaccination. We investigated, in the context of the emergence of a vaccine-resistant strain, whether a vaccination program can prevent the spread of infectious disease. We also investigated how losses from immunization by vaccination imposed by the resistant strain affect the spread of the disease.

Methods and findings

We designed and analyzed a deterministic compartment model illustrating transmission of vaccine-sensitive and vaccine-resistant strains during a vaccination program. We investigated how the loss of protect

SUBMITTER: Iwami S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2657368 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature