Opportunities and Challenges of Vaccination (2008)
Infectious diseases are still a global health problem. This was demonstrated clearly by the cases of SARS and the problems relating to avian influenza in recent years. On a global scale, infectious agents are responsible for the death of 15 –17 million people and therefore account for one third to one fourth of the total of 57 million deaths due to disease every year. Almost six million avoidable deaths every year are caused by the three most threatening infections AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), tuberculosis and malaria.