Clinical Trials of Vaccines and Drugs

Question 1

Why are vaccines and drugs
subjected to clinical trials?

Answer 1

To establish their safety and effectiveness before being licensed for use

Question 2

Name three different design protocols used in clinical trials of vaccines and drugs

Answer 2

Randomised,
double blind
placebo-controlled

Question 3

Describe a randomised protocol in
vaccine and drug testing and
explain its importance

Answer 3

groups in a randomized way to reduce bias in the distribution of characteristics such as age and gender

Question 4

Describe a double-blind protocol used
in vaccine and drug testing and explain its importance

Answer 4

Neither the subjects nor the researchers know which group subjects are in to prevent biased interpretation of the results

Question 5

Describe a placebo-controlled
protocol used in vaccine and drug
testing and explain its importance

Answer 5

One group of subjects receives the vaccine or drug while the other group receive a placebo control to ensure valid comparisons

Question 6

Describe the size of groups used in
clinical trials of drugs and
vaccines and explain its importance

Answer 6

The size of groups must be suitable to
reduce the magnitude of experimental error

Question 7

State why groups are compared at
the end of a clinical trial on drugs
or vaccines

Answer 7

To determine whether there are any
statistically significant differences between the groups