In the last century, vaccines, together with the discovery of antibiotics have been powerful tools in the management of infectious diseases. Both were of particular importance in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with infections prevailing in the early 20th century. Whereas antibiotics were useful in treating the infection, vaccines worked by priming the uninfected individual against future infections. The success of vaccination can be seen through numerous examples. The World Health Organisation (WHO) was able to certify that smallpox had been eradicated in 1980 whereas the European Regional Commission for the Certification of the Eradication of Poliomyelitis declared the European Region polio-free on 21 June 2002.2 On the other hand, measles has been reduced to very low levels in many regions of the world. This led to the speculation that such a good result could be extended to other diseases. Tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria are currently three infectious diseases requiring urgent attention due to their serious consequences especially in less developed countries.peer-reviewe
