Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Since Edward Jenner' s discovery of the basic concept of vaccination in 1796, vaccines have become a critical component of our armamentarium for preventing a broad spectrum of infectious diseases.Vaccination now sits at center stage in our ability to impact public health on a global scale, and, aside from sanitation and clean water, represents one of the easiest and most cost-effective means to control infectious diseases and improve people' s standards of life.The beneficial impact of vaccination extends beyond protection of the individual ---also it gives rise to "herd immunity," an effect whereby vaccination of a large proportion of the population hinders the transmission of an infectious agent and thereby protects the entire population, even those not vaccinated. 1 Indeed, this effect has led to some remarkable results, including eradication of smallpox and virtual disappearance of diphtheria, tetanus, and paralytic poliomyelitis. 1 However, it is clear that much remains to be accomplished to close the global vaccination gap 2 and to reduce the annual toll of approximately 3 million children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Authors: Adel Mahmoud, Myron Levin
Institutions: Princeton University, University of Colorado Denver
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,900
Funder: GAVI Alliance
OpenAlex ID: W2068358049