Innovative vaccine production technologies: the evolution and value of vaccine production technologies.

This review paper provides an overview of innovative technologies designed to produce bacterial, viral, recombinant subunit, and polysaccharide vaccines, as well as combination vaccines. Advances in this field are illustrated by vaccines against DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), influenza, hepatitis B (HepB) and typhoid fever. In addition, technological trends regarding antigens, adjuvants, and preservatives in vaccines are discussed. The progress achieved in vaccine production technologies is especially important for improving the protection of vulnerable populations against infectious diseases. These at-risk groups include infants, the elderly and immunocompromized individuals, as well as people living in developing countries or emerging economies.