Which statement about ring vaccination is accurate?

• A. It vaccinates the entire population
• B. It targets vaccination to contacts and contacts of cases around detected cases
• C. It is no longer used in eradication campaigns
• D. It relies solely on antiviral medication

Answer: (B)

Ring vaccination works by creating a protective ring around each detected case. It targets vaccination to those who have been exposed or are at high risk because they are contacts of the case, and often the contacts of those contacts. This approach interrupts transmission by immunizing people most likely to spread the disease, rather than vaccinating the entire population. It’s a resource-efficient strategy that hinges on rapid case identification and contact tracing and on having a vaccine that provides protection quickly. It’s not about vaccinating everyone, it’s not obsolete, and it relies on vaccination rather than antiviral medications.