New Vaccine Technologies for Rapid Response against Emerging, Reemerging Infections and Biological Threats: Lessons from COVID-19 for Future

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran Iran

Abstract

Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent dangerous infectious diseases and save lives. The expansion of human communication, the rapid spread of emerging infections worldwide, and the creation of dangerous pandemics like COVID-19 is worrying. On the other hand, with the emergence of new technologies such as genetic engineering of microorganisms, genome editing, and synthetic biology, the possibility of abusing these tools for illegal use is the next concern. In this situation, the need for rapid vaccination technologies and programs was given special importance. Recently, new vaccine platforms such as viral vector and mRNA vaccines have shown great promise that they can be used to prepare and protect human lives against dangerous infections. One of the most important factors for vaccination is the rapid development and approval of vaccines. In this review, we have given a perspective view of new vaccine technologies to rapidly develop vaccines to combat emerging infections and the biodefence against biological criminals. 

Keywords