Includes bibliographical references and index

Infectious diseases: a historical documentary -- The scourge of smallpox: variolation, vaccination, and Edward Jenner -- The biological origins of infection unveiled -- Cholera, plague, typhoid: a cautious start to a vaccine revolution -- Diptheria and tetanus: the discovery of passive immunization -- The tuberculosis roller coaster: vaccines and antibiotics -- Viruses: epic challenges for vaccinology -- Some tropical diseases: the flaviviruses -- Influenza virus: an evolving chameleon -- The polio virus: its conquest amid inflamed debate and controversy -- Measles, mumps, and rubella: vaccination, mortality, and uncertainty -- Filoviruses: modern solutions to life-threatening infections -- Immunological challenges of the "new" infections: corona viruses -- Vaccines are not always perfect: adverse effects and their clinical impact -- Vaccination and freedom of choice: the individual and the population

"While there are many short articles on the history of vaccines and a number of miltiauthor scientific books, there are few single works that probe the historical debates, the scientific, political, and cultural milieu that influenced the acceptance of immunological intervention in infectious diseases. A New History of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases: Immunization - Chance and Necessity treads a neutral path but does not avoid discussion. The uncertainty in the outcome of vaccination can only be determined by experiment. The path to vaccine development was scientifically complex because the immune system and the manner in which humans respond to infection are variable and also complex. The development of vaccines has obliterated many fatal infectious diseases and will continue to do so. A New History of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases: Immunization - Chance and Necessity also describes the risks and benefits in a visibly objective manner. This has not always been so, but is a sine qua non for global acceptance of each new vaccine as it is developed."--Back cover