Immunology of Vaccination

Eradication of smallpox in 1962 and the subsequent mass immunization programs recently to eliminate poliomyelitis and measles, are the most important milestones in public health. This review will cover the immunologic principles guiding the use of vaccines, such as the mechanisms of protective immunity and the adverse side effects of vaccination. Although there is in-depth knowledge of immunology and the sophisticated techniques developed in vaccinology, there are few ideal vaccines in use and still no vaccines to control devastating diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. It is hoped that molecular and technologic innovation will lead to the production of future vaccines.