Authors

José Manuel Echevarría Mayo

Position

Virólogo. Socio fundador de la Sociedad Española de Virología y de la Sociedad Europea de Virología Clínica. Profesor Honorífico de la Facultad de Biología de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Comendador de la Orden Civil de Sanidad

Contact address

José Manuel Echevarría Mayo. C/ Santiago Rodríguez Conde, 28. 28430 Alpedrete (Madrid).

Contact email: jmechevarria@gmail.com

Abstract

Although viral vaccines have contributed noticeably to social development during the past century and a half, there are many data that point to the fact that those groups opposing their use have achieved a negative impact on vaccination coverage during the past years, leading to a new outbreak in developed countries of certain diseases that were on the brink of elimination, and even being the indirect cause of some deaths that could have been prevented. Answering to the call by many health professionals concerned by this social drift, this article intends to provide truthful information on the real importance of those diseases fought against by viral vaccines, about some concepts that help to judge adequately their efficacy and safety, and about the consequences caused by the rejection of those vaccines included by health authorities in vaccination schedules, both for persons and for the community.

Keywords:

Viral vaccines; public health; healthcare education; healthcare education

Versión en Español

Título:

Vacunas víricas: un bien común necesario