In the context of poliovirus outbreaks, rapid response vaccination is best described as

• A. A long-term strategic plan with no time pressure
• B. Intensified vaccination campaigns aimed at quickly raising immunity
• C. Vaccinating only healthcare workers
• D. Using antiviral drugs to treat infections

Answer: (B)

Rapid response vaccination focuses on quickly boosting immunity across the population so transmission of poliovirus can be interrupted as soon as an outbreak is detected. In an outbreak, time matters: the faster susceptible people gain protection, the fewer chains of transmission there are. Intensified vaccination campaigns—mass campaigns or targeted ring vaccination around cases—are used to raise population immunity rapidly, aiming to reach a high level of protection in a short period. This approach directly addresses the outbreak by stopping spread, rather than taking a slow, long-term view.

Vaccinating only healthcare workers wouldn’t reach the broader community where transmission occurs, and using antiviral drugs isn’t a standard tool to stop polio spread— vaccination is the primary and most effective intervention.