Sample interview questions: How do you assess the impact of viral mutations on vaccine effectiveness?
Sample answer:
- In vitro and in vivo studies: Assess the ability of mutated viruses to evade neutralization by vaccine-induced antibodies in laboratory settings and animal models.
- Epidemiological data: Monitor the prevalence of viral variants in vaccinated populations to identify any changes in vaccine effectiveness or breakthrough infections.
- Surveillance systems: Establish real-time surveillance to track the emergence and spread of viral mutations of concern, allowing for rapid response and vaccine updates.
- Computational modeling: Use mathematical models to predict the potential impact of viral mutations on vaccine efficacy based on existing data and knowledge of viral evolution.