VACCINE-PREVENTABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Despite the significant gains made over the past century, vaccine-preventable infectious diseases remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality on a global scale. The fact that millions of cases and preventable deaths occur worldwide each year—when considered alongside vaccine hesitancy, inequities in vaccine access, and emerging infectious disease threats—clearly underscores the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date examination of scientific knowledge in this field. This book, titled “Vaccine-Preventable Infectious Diseases,” aims not only to compile existing knowledge on vaccine-preventable diseases but also to restructure it in light of rapidly evolving scientific data. While many sources in the literature focus on specific diseases or limited perspectives, this work aims to fill a significant gap by offering a comprehensive approach that integrates basic science, clinical practice, and public health dimensions. The book’s unique value lies in its examination of vaccine-preventable infections not merely at the pathogen and vaccine levels, but in conjunction with host immunity, microbiome interactions, factors shaping the immune response, and current vaccine technologies. This approach not only provides readers with information but also offers an analytical framework to support clinical and scientific decision-making processes. This work aims to serve as a reliable reference source for physicians and researchers in the fields of infectious diseases, pediatric health and diseases, public health, immunology, and microbiology, as well as to guide our young colleagues in their residency training. The evidence-based information presented in the book is intended to contribute to the effectiveness of vaccination practices and strengthen public health. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our section editors and all authors whose contributions made this book possible, all of whom possess invaluable knowledge and experience in their respective fields. Their scientific rigor and contributions have been among the most important factors in determining the quality of this work. I hope this book contributes to a better understanding of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases and to scientific and clinical advancements in this field. Sincerely, Prof. Dr. Soner Sertan KARA Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Aydın, Türkiye