Which term refers to the prevention of disease by the administration of vaccines before exposure?

Which term refers to the prevention of disease by the administration of vaccines before exposure?

• A. Immunoprophylaxis
• B. Chemoprophylaxis
• C. Herd Immunity
• D. Vaccination Schedule

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is immune-based disease prevention before exposure. When vaccines are given before someone encounters a pathogen, the immune system is primed to recognize and respond quickly, often preventing illness or making it milder. This overall approach is immunoprophylaxis, the umbrella term for preventing disease by stimulating the immune system prior to exposure. It mainly covers vaccination as the method to induce active immunity, though in some contexts it can also include administration of antibodies. Chemoprophylaxis, by contrast, uses drugs to prevent infection rather than vaccines. Herd immunity refers to protection at the population level once a sufficient portion is immune, not the act of administering vaccines itself. A vaccination schedule is simply the plan for when vaccines are given, not the mechanism of prevention.

The concept being tested is immune-based disease prevention before exposure. When vaccines are given before someone encounters a pathogen, the immune system is primed to recognize and respond quickly, often preventing illness or making it milder. This overall approach is immunoprophylaxis, the umbrella term for preventing disease by stimulating the immune system prior to exposure. It mainly covers vaccination as the method to induce active immunity, though in some contexts it can also include administration of antibodies.

Chemoprophylaxis, by contrast, uses drugs to prevent infection rather than vaccines. Herd immunity refers to protection at the population level once a sufficient portion is immune, not the act of administering vaccines itself. A vaccination schedule is simply the plan for when vaccines are given, not the mechanism of prevention.