Biomaterial Database

Mathematical modelling of effectiveness. 1998

A R McLean

Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Zoology Department, Oxford University, England.

The effectiveness of a vaccine can be broadly defined as a practical measure of its costs and benefits when used in a community setting. What then is the relationship between a vaccine's efficacy and its effectiveness? Effectiveness certainly includes efficacy, but also encompasses secondary effects of vaccination, long-term efficacy of a vaccine (beyond that measured in conventional efficacy trials), the impact of vaccinating against one strain upon cross-reacting infections, costs of vaccination programmes and logistic considerations for vaccine delivery. This paper considers some of the biological determinants of effectiveness namely; secondary effects, long-term efficacy and competitive interactions amongst strains. Mathematical models of the transmission dynamics of infection and its disruption by vaccination are used as tools to help unravel some of the complexities that may arise when making interventions in non-linear biological systems.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D003140	Communicable Disease Control	Programs of surveillance designed to prevent the transmission of disease by any means from person to person or from animal to man.	Flatten the Curve of Epidemic,Flattening the Curve, Communicable Disease Control,Parasite Control,Control, Communicable Disease,Control, Parasite
D003429	Cross Reactions	Serological reactions in which an antiserum against one antigen reacts with a non-identical but closely related antigen.	Cross Reaction,Reaction, Cross,Reactions, Cross
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014612	Vaccines	Suspensions of killed or attenuated microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa), antigenic proteins, synthetic constructs, or other bio-molecular derivatives, administered for the prevention, amelioration, or treatment of infectious and other diseases.	Vaccine