A New History of Vaccines: Chance and Necessity for Immunization

While there are many short articles on the history of vaccines and a number of multi-author scientific books there is no single work that probes the historical debates, the scientific, political and cultural milieu that influenced the acceptance of immunological intervention in infectious diseases. A New History of Vaccines: Chance and Necessity for Immunization treads a neutral path but does not avoid discussion. The uncertainty in the outcome of vaccination can only be determined by experiment. The path to vaccine development was scientifically complex because the immune system and the manner in which humans respond to infection is variable and also complex. The development of vaccines has obliterated many fatal infections diseases and will continue to do so. A New History of Vaccines: Chance and Necessity for Immunization also describes the risks and benefits in a visibly objective manner. This has not always been so but is a sine qua non for global acceptance of each new vaccine as it is developed. Gives an Objective description of the science behind vaccine discoveryProvides awareness and discussion of the controversies, past and presentProvides historical context to the scientific aspects of immunization of what worked what did not work, and why, given our current understanding of immunology, written by a scientist with no 'vested interest' in vaccine developmentClears many misunderstandings for today's vaccination policies INDICE: 1. Introduction to the language and concepts of immunity 2. Infectious disease treatment: a historical documentary 3. The scourge of smallpox and the genius of an 18th century country doctor 4. The four 'humors' and 19th century vaccination obstinacy 5. Pasteur's germ theory, Koch's Postulates and the origins of infection 6. The beginnings of smallpox and anthrax eradication 7. Cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid and plague: a cautious start to a vaccine revolution 8. Diphtheria and tetanus: passive immunization by 'antitoxins' 9. Tuberculosis vaccines: Variable clinical results fuel ideological and clinical prejudices 10. The discovery of viruses provides epic challenges for vaccinology 11. Influenza virus: an immunological and evolutionary chameleon 12. Tropical viral diseases and their vaccine development 13. The Polio virus: Its conquest amid inflamed debate and controversy 14. Measles, Mumps and Rubella: Vaccination, mortality and uncertainty 15. Hepatitis and Papilloma viruses: Modern solutions to life-threatening infections 16. Passive administration of donor antibodies: from von Behring to autoimmune disease 17. 21st century vaccinology: immunological challenges of the 'new' infections 18. Vaccination and freedom of choice: the individual and the population

• ISBN: 978-0-12-812754-4
• Editorial: Academic Press
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 415
• Fecha Publicación: 01/10/2021
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés