IAVI Vaccine Literacy Library: Module 4

Introduction to vaccines

This module defines the key concepts of vaccinology and provides a deeper understanding of how preventive vaccines work to protect an individual from infection or disease. The history, latest updates, and the challenges in vaccine research and development are presented for the disease areas of HIV, tuberculosis, and Lassa fever.

Contents

Summary Points

  1. Key Definitions and Concepts of Vaccinology
    1. What is a Vaccine?
    2. Adjuvants
    3. Efficacy and Effectiveness
  2. How Vaccines Work
  3. Vaccine Platforms
  4. Challenges in Developing Vaccines
  5. HIV Vaccine Research and Development
    1. A Brief History
    2. HIV Vaccine Research and Development
    3. HIV Vaccine Development Challenges
  6. TB Vaccine Research and Development
    1. A Brief History
    2. TB Vaccine Research and Development
    3. Challenges of TB Vaccine Development
  7. Lassa Virus Vaccine Research and Development
    1. A Brief History
    2. Lassa Virus Vaccine Research and Development
    3. Challenges of Lassa Virus Vaccine Development

Click on each of the modules below to learn more about their respective topics.