Viral vaccines under development: a third generation.

Abstract

In summary then, my purpose has been two-fold: on the one hand, I have tried to highlight the kinds of basic science advances in both cellular and virologic research that can (and should) be focussed both on vaccines under development and, retrospectively, on those whose origins were strictly empiric. On the other hand, I have attempted a partial survey of some of the prominent members of a potential new generation of vaccines to point out areas where these advances can and should contribute either to progress or to a sense of caution about the further reliance on pure empiricism. It is clear that we are not finished with new viral vaccines. It is equally clear that narrowing the persistent gap between basic science and its application to public health needs will require much energy and attention as vaccine development progresses.