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What distinguishes vaccine efficacy from vaccine effectiveness?
AEfficacy is measured in children, effectiveness in adults
BEfficacy comes from ideal conditions such as a trial
CEfficacy uses odds ratios, effectiveness uses risk ratios
DEfficacy is reported as a rate, effectiveness as a ratio
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Efficacy comes from ideal conditions such as a trial
1. Both terms measure the proportionate reduction in cases among vaccinated people.
2. Efficacy is the word used when the study runs under ideal conditions, such as a clinical trial.
3. Effectiveness is the word used when the study runs under ordinary field conditions.
4. The distinction is about study setting, not about the age of the participants or the statistic chosen.
_Source: CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice (3rd ed., US federal, public domain), Lesson 3 "Measures of Risk", section Vaccine efficacy or vaccine effectiveness_
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