Which of the following is a feature of an effective vaccine?

An effective vaccine is designed to stimulate both B-cell and T-cell responses, which are crucial components of the adaptive immune system. B-cells are responsible for producing antibodies that can neutralize pathogens, while T-cells play various roles, including helping to activate other immune cells and directly killing infected cells. The ability to engage both arms of the immune response enhances the body’s ability to recognize and fight off the actual pathogen in the future.

When a vaccine successfully stimulates these responses, it helps establish immunological memory, enabling the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively upon subsequent exposures to the pathogen. This dual response is vital for long-lasting protection and can often be improved with booster shots if necessary, but the key feature being highlighted here is the generation of robust cellular and humoral immunity.

Effective vaccines are typically designed to not cause illness in the vaccinated individual, provide long-term immunity rather than temporary responses, and may sometimes require booster shots to maintain immunity, depending on factors like the type of pathogen involved and the vaccine’s specific characteristics.