Vaccines: the fourth century.
Vaccine development, which began with Edward Jenner's observations in the late 18th century, has entered its 4th century. From its beginnings, with the use of whole organisms that had been weakened or inactivated, to the modern-day use of genetic engineering, it has taken advantage of the tools discovered in other branches of microbiology. Numerous successful vaccines are in use, but the list of diseases for which vaccines do not exist is long. However, the multiplicity of strategies now available, discussed in this article, portends even more successful development of vaccines.
University of Pennsylvania, 4650 Wismer Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, USA. stanley.plotkin@vaxconsult.com
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Plotkin
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000276:immunology; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology*
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines