[Vaccinations]

Abstract

Vaccines are amongst the most cost effective interventions in medicine. Optimal implementation of actually available vaccines would markedly increase the enormous benefits for mankind achieved so far. Biotechnology has allowed improvement of old and engineering of new vaccines. However, there is still urgent need for vaccines against pathogens with a global morbidity and mortality toll. The challenges for the 21st century to close the increasing gap between developed and developing countries are bound to biology, finances, cooperation and solidarity.