Successes and failures: Worldwide vaccine development and application

The impact that vaccines have had on world health has been great. The misery prevented and the lives saved have been impressive. But all has not been good. As one looks at the success, one can also see the missed opportunities. This discussion takes a broad, worldwide view of vaccines - from early research, through development and application. It examines our successes and our failures and looks with great optimism towards a future having great potential to prevent much of today's suffering from infectious diseases. (C) 2010 The International Association for Biologicals. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.