Vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions currently available. Smallpox has been eradicated and polio has almost disappeared thanks to global vaccination campaigns. Most viral and bacterial infections that usually affected children have been significantly reduced thanks to national immunization programs in many countries.
In this MOOC, you will navigate the complex path from vaccine design through preclinical and clinical stages to vaccine availability. You will learn about the different types of vaccines available, including those recently developed based on messenger RNA.
You will immerse yourself in case studies illustrating the successes and challenges of vaccine development, with examples such as those against meningitis, human papillomavirus, influenza and COVID-19.
We will tackle the issue of mistrust in vaccines, discover strategies for globalizing their production, and discuss ways of ensuring equitable access for all populations.
Drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, we will emphasize the importance of pandemic preparedness and consider the role future vaccines can play in this preparation.
AT THE END OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Summarize the basics of vaccinology
• Define vaccine design and the clinical steps required to develop a vaccine
• Describe vaccines that have been developed recently
• Discuss how to improve the vaccine coverage for available vaccines
• Explain the future challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic
