Final answer:
Core vaccines are those necessary to protect the animal from disease, essential for providing protection against common pathogens. They do not necessarily have to be given annually; it depends on the virus and the vaccine's efficacy. Core vaccines are central in preventing various infectious diseases and maintaining public health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Core vaccines are those vaccines that are necessary to protect the animal from disease. These vaccines are essential regardless of the geographical location or the lifestyle of the animal, providing broad protection against common and dangerous pathogens. They stimulate the animal's immune system to prepare defenses against specific diseases without causing adverse effects or risking the contraction of the disease itself. For instance, vaccines that prevent measles, mumps, and rubella in humans are core vaccines because they are given to all individuals regardless of their risk factors, owing to the stability of the vaccine against these infrequently mutating viruses.
It is a misconception that core vaccines must be given every year or that they always prevent the disease. Instead, the frequency of vaccination and the level of protection can vary based on the disease and the vaccine's effectiveness. Some vaccines, such as those for influenza, are updated regularly due to the high mutation rate of the virus and may be recommended annually. Others, due to the stability of the targeted virus, may be used year after year with sustained effectiveness.
Overall, core vaccines play a critical role in the prevention of viral infections and the maintenance of public health by reducing the incidence of infectious diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. Despite the challenges posed by some high mutation-rate viruses like influenza and HIV, vaccinations remain a cornerstone in disease control strategies.