Vaccines: An overview

Vaccination against infections is one of the greatest advances in medical science, yet often overlooked and underappreciated. From 2010 to 2019, an estimated 37 million lives were saved with vaccination against 10 key pathogens, and that number is expected to rise with improved delivery of these vaccines around the world. Unlike other therapeutic agents, vaccines offer benefits not only to the vaccinated individual directly but can also offer protection to the vaccinated person’s contacts and community. Beyond lives saved, vaccines prevent illness and disability as well, having significant economic impact by decreasing poverty and reducing inequities. This chapter aims to give an overview of different approaches to vaccinology against infectious diseases, review key vaccines in human use, and offer insight into the vaccine development process to ensure safety and efficacy.