OMIC Technologies and Vaccine Development: From the Identification of Vulnerable Individuals to the Formulation of Invulnerable Vaccines

Figure 2

The figure shows changes in populations’ composition with special vaccination needs over time. Traditionally, only elderly people and infants were considered vulnerable. During this time period, little scientific evidence regarding vaccine responses of different populations was available, and a single vaccination schedule was proposed for all (empirical medicine). Currently, an increasing number of people with special vaccination needs, such as immunocompromised patients and pregnant women, are considered in specific vaccine programs based on expert opinion and on extrapolated data from healthy individuals (stratified medicine). In the near future, the increased number and life expectancy of groups with special vaccination needs will lead to large-scale population studies. This approach will provide robust scientific evidence and new correlates of protection and safety. As a result, rationalisation of vaccine strategies (antigens, adjuvants, etc.) and personalization of approaches will increase vaccination efficacy and safety in these populations within a framework of personalized medicine.