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Abstract

Combination vaccines, by increasing the number of antigens that can be delivered at a single visit, will dramatically extend the range of diseases preventable by childhood immunization. As the antigenic possibilities and researchers' technical capabilities increase, the rational design and development of combination vaccines become especially complex. A variety of epidemiological, medical, physicochemical, and commercial considerations are taken into account by manufacturers in determining which set(s) of antigens make “sense” as combinations. A key challenge will be to predict and/or influence which antigens will be recommended for inclusion in the infant schedules in key markets in the coming years. Resource constraints dictate that companies must minimize the numbers of combinations to be developed, while at the same time offer combinations appropriate to different markets around the globe.

Keywords

Combination vaccines;Pediatric immunization;Vaccine strategy

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The Need for and Design of Combination Vaccines

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