Why are Neutralizing Antibodies Important in Epidemiology?
In the field of epidemiology, understanding neutralizing antibodies is crucial for several reasons:
Vaccine Development: They are essential for the efficacy of many vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system to produce these antibodies. Herd Immunity: Population-level immunity to a pathogen often depends on the presence of neutralizing antibodies in a significant portion of the population. Disease Surveillance: Measuring levels of neutralizing antibodies can help track the spread of infectious diseases and the effectiveness of public health interventions.