Needs for New Vaccines and Improved Immunization Schedules

In 1890 at the International Medical Congress in Berlin, Robert Koch discussed difficulties in research progress and reminded his colleagues: “As recently as 15 years ago we knew little more than the fact that in anthrax and relapsing fever, strange exotic structures were produced in the blood and that occasionally, so-called vibrios occurred in wound infections…. With the exception of a few researchers who were considered to be dreamers, such structures were viewed more as curiosities than pathogens”. One hundred years later the magnitude of achievements in medical microbiology, virology and immunology is unanimously recognised, especially in the field of immunization against infectious diseases. The contribution of active immunization has been decisive in the control of at least nine major infections — smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccines and clean water have exerted a more profound influence on world health than any other public health measure or programme.