Since the first vaccine was used, over 200 years ago, vaccines have brought under control some of the most devastating diseases in the world. Vaccine use has led to the eradication of naturally occurring smallpox around the world and polio in the western world. Worldwide vaccination programs have been designed with the achievable goal of eliminating other diseases. Vaccines also protect our pets and keep our food supply safe and safeguard our quality of life. The role of animal research in these achievements cannot be understated. As modern science continues to develop new and innovative vaccines to prevent the most challenging of diseases and to respond to the threat of bio-terrorism, animal research will continue to play a vital role.

Sources
AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
American Medical Association
BIO
British Medical Journal
Centers for Disease Control
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Institut Pasteur
Johns Hopkins University
National Institutes of Health
Nature
New York Times
Nobel Institute
Sabin Institute
Science
The Scientist
UK Biomedical Research Education Trust
UK Medical Research Council
UK Research Defence Society
Vaccine
Washington Post
World Health Organization

Special thanks to Dr. Tony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health.