Vaccinology in the third millennium: scientific and social challenges

• Published in: Current opinion in virology Vol. 17; pp. 116 - 125
• Main Authors: Poland, Gregory A, Whitaker, Jennifer A, Poland, Caroline M, Ovsyannikova, Inna G, Kennedy, Richard B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Communicable Disease Control; Drug Design; Drug Discovery; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - epidemiology; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - prevention & control; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Measles - prevention & control; Vaccination; Vaccination Refusal; Vaccines - administration & dosage; Vaccines - immunology; Zika Virus - isolation & purification; Zika Virus Infection - epidemiology; Zika Virus Infection - prevention & control
• ISSN: 1879-6257; 1879-6265; 1879-6265
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.03.003

•Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, nearly eradicated polio, and resulted in 99.9% reduction in incidence rates for many diseases.•There are significant challenges facing vaccine development for current and emerging diseases (Ebola, HIV, Zika, Malaria).•New vaccine and adjuvant development is necessary to improve immunogenicity and safety profiles of vaccines.•New educational methods and outreach programs are needed to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. The epidemiology of deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases has been significantly and positively altered through the use of vaccines. Despite this, significant challenges remain in vaccine development and use in the third millennium. Both new (Ebola, Chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile) and re-emerging diseases (measles, mumps, and influenza) require the development of new or next-generation vaccines. The global aging of the population, and accumulating numbers of immunocompromised persons, will require new vaccine and adjuvant development to protect large segments of the population. After vaccine development, significant challenges remain globally in the cost and efficient use and acceptance of vaccines by the public. This article raises issues in these two areas and suggests a way forward that will benefit current and future generations.