Vaccine development

Abstract

We reviewed vaccine development in the past, at present and possible future, and described new vaccines, which will be introduced in Japan in the near future. The introduction of gene technology has promoted advances in vaccines. A subunit vaccine of hepatitis B, a recombinant vaccine for rotavirus and an enhanced inactivated polio vaccine have been developed. DNA vaccines and mucosal vaccines with adjuvants have been studied recently. They are promising, but safety, cost and benefits should be taken into consideration for vaccine development. In Japan, we cannot use MMR vaccines, but MR or imported MMR vaccines have been tested and are awaiting approval. Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and inactivated polio vaccine are also awaiting approval in Japan.