Practise 30 exam-style questions on Vaccination for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
30 questions
2–4 marks each
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20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
A vaccine uses a protein subunit from a pathogen as the antigen. State one advantage and one disadvantage of this approach.
Model answer
Advantage: cannot cause infection and is safe, especially for immunocompromised; Disadvantage: often less immunogenic and may require adjuvants or multiple doses/boosters.
Explanation
Protein subunit vaccines are very safe because only a piece of the pathogen is used, but they often need help (adjuvants) or extra doses to provoke a strong protective response.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Advantage: safe / cannot cause disease / suitable for immunocompromised
1 mark
Disadvantage: weaker immune response / needs adjuvants or boosters / more doses
Question 2
3 marks
List three practical reasons why some people might not be vaccinated, even if vaccines are available.
Model answer
Examples: medical reasons (immunocompromised or allergies), access/availability issues (remote area, cost), personal reasons (religious beliefs, vaccine hesitancy/fear).
Explanation
Practical barriers include health reasons preventing vaccination, logistical or financial obstacles to accessing services, and personal or cultural beliefs leading to refusal.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Medical contraindications (e.g. immunocompromised, severe allergy)
Any one practical reason = 1 mark.
1 mark
Access/availability or cost or logistics (remote area, supply shortages)
1 mark
Personal or cultural reasons (religion, fear, misinformation/vaccine hesitancy)
Question 3
3 marks
A vaccination campaign uses a live oral vaccine and reports a small number of mild gastrointestinal adverse events. Suggest three steps public health officials should take in response.
Model answer
Steps: continue monitoring and collect detailed reports (pharmacovigilance); assess whether events exceed background rates; communicate transparently with public and healthcare providers; adjust recommendations if causal link established (e.g. restrict to particular groups); ensure cold chain and administration quality.
Explanation
Investigating reports and transparent communication maintain trust and ensure decisions (continuation, restriction, or withdrawal) are evidence-based.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Collect detailed reports and continue (enhanced) monitoring
1 mark
Compare events to background rates and investigate causality (epidemiological assessment)
1 mark
Communicate transparently to public/health professionals and take action if causality likely (e.g. adjust recommendations)
Question 4
4 marks
Design a simple population survey to estimate vaccine coverage in a town of 50,000 people. Include sampling method, sample size rationale and one way to reduce bias.
Model answer
Use random or stratified random sampling across age groups and areas. Sample size might be a few hundred (e.g. 400–1000) to give reasonable precision; clearly state rationale e.g. margin of error and confidence. Reduce bias by using household lists or registration records and ensuring surveyors do not selectively approach respondents (or use anonymous records).
Explanation
A representative sample and clear rationale for sample size give credible coverage estimates. Using records and preventing selective recruitment reduces sampling and non-response bias.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Sampling method: random or stratified random sampling (by age/area)
1 mark
Sample size rationale: state a number with justification e.g. 400–1000 for acceptable precision/margin of error
Allow correct justification of sample size concept.
1 mark
Data source: use records/registrations or household lists to select participants
1 mark
Reduce bias: avoid convenience sampling, ensure follow-ups for non-responders, use anonymous records
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