Current Problems of Vaccinology

Overview

The introduction of the vaccination programme in the child population is associated with a marked decline ofthe morbidity and mortality of the child population, and some infectious diseases of childhood were eliminated (oreradicated). Further extension of the EPI vaccination programme as well as the perspective development ofvaccines are, however, associated with some new issues and problems. The latter include the vaccination load ofthe child, the number of injections and thus also polyvalent vaccines. As a result of regression of infectious diseasesadverse reactions come to the foreground - undesirable effects of vaccines and possibly associations with otherserious diseases. The authors present contemporary knowledge and views regarding some of the mentionedproblems. It is inevitable to monitor permanently positive and negative impacts of the extension of vaccinationprogrammes. It is however important to evaluate it objectively, based on real findings, because uncritical attitudesreduce the compliance of the population as regards vaccination. It was found that the state of elimination ofinfectious diseases is an unstable variable and as a result of the decline of the vaccination rate local as well asextensive epidemics may develop.

Key words:
vaccination, child population, infectious diseases of childhood