The Immunological Basis for Immunization Series

The Series “The Immunological Basis for immunization”, was initially developed in 1993 as a set of eight modules focusing on the vaccines included in the Expanded Programme on immunization (EPI). In addition to a general immunology module, each of the seven other modules covered one of the vaccines recommended as part of the EPI programme, i.e. diphtheria, measles, pertussis, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis and yellow fever. These modules have become some of the most widely used documents in the field of immunization.

With the development of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (2006-2015) and the expansion of immunization programmes in general, as well as the large accumulation of new knowledge since 1993, the decision has been taken to update and extend this series.

The main purpose of the modules - which are published as separate disease/vaccine specific modules - is to give immunization managers and vaccination professionals a brief and easily-understood overview of the scientific basis of vaccination, and also of the immunological basis for the WHO recommendations on vaccine use that since 1998 are published in the Vaccine Position Papers.