The realization that many diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms ultimately made possible the rational development of vaccines. Killed or disabled microbes, their components, or even their DNA can be used to induce a state of immunity to the viable organism itself. Vaccines were largely responsible for the dramatic increase in life expectancy achieved in the 20th century. This chapter looks at how vaccines are produced, and focuses on two current challenges for world health officials — developing effective vaccines for malaria and tuberculosis. Recent advances in our understanding of how the immune system works has led to exciting new possibilities for vaccine production, particularly DNA-based vaccines.
Keywords: vaccines, malaria, tuberculosis, DNA vaccines,