ADJUVANTS - A CLASSIFICATION AND REVIEW OF THEIR MODES OF ACTION

Since early this century, various substances have been added to vaccin es and certain formulations have been devised in an attempt to render vaccines more effective. Despite a plethora of options, only aluminium salts have gained acceptance as human vaccine adjuvants and even vete rinary vaccines are largely dependent upon the use of aluminium salts. Currently, many new vaccines are under development and there is a des ire to simplify vaccination schedules both by increasing the number of components per vaccine and decreasing the number of doses required fo r a vaccine course. New, more effective adjuvants will be required to achieve this. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.