Vaccine

A vaccine is an antigenic preparation used to produce active immunity to a disease, in order to prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by any natural or 'wild' strain of the organism. The term derives from vaccinia, the infectious viral agent of cowpox, which, when administered to humans, provided them protection against smallpox. The process of distributing and administrating vaccines is referred to as vaccination.

External links

Vaccine proponent views

• CGDev.org - Center for Global Development: 'Vaccines for Development' (updated regularly)
• ClearlyExplained.com - 'Vaccines - ClearlyExplained.com', Richard Conan-Davies, BSc Dip Ed (October 22, 2001)
• NIH.gov - 'Immunization' ('conventional' opinion on vaccines), National Institute of Health
• TownHall.com - 'Don't believe the childhood vaccine fearmongers', Michael Fumento (June 30, 2005)
• Globalization and Health - Medicines and vaccines for the world's poorest: Is there any prospect for public-private cooperation?

Vaccine safety critical views

• MacroBiotic.net - 'A Short History of Vaccines'
• IOM.edu (pdf) - 'Before the Institute of Medicine' (statement on link between thimerosol and autism), US Congressman Dave Weldon, M.D., (February 9, 2004)
• NoVaccine.com - 'The American Vaccine Information Directory' (AVID), Dr. Dan Schultz
• TruthCampaign.ukf.net - 'Vaccination Assault on the Human Species', Pat Rattigan, ND