A great impact on the advances in the field of vaccination has been observed both in our country, and around the world in the recent years. Considering those advancements and the fact that “immunization is the greatest contribution to the human health”, the Turkish Ministry of Health and the Infectious Diseases Society is organizing the third “National Vaccine Symposium” between the dates September 29-October 04, 2009 in Ankara after the first one in 2005 and the second in 2007.

In the vaccine history, our country constitutes one of the most significant mile stones. Our ancestors applied the first vaccinations in the Middle East, and next generations followed with the advancements in vaccine production by the end of 1800s just one year after Pasteur’s rabies vaccine development. There have been great changes in our national vaccination program in the past three years. This fact also affects the data concerning epidemiology of infection diseases in our country.

Important progresses have taken place even in the short period since the last National Vaccine Symposium. For this reason, the advances and the changes in our country along with the problems faced, and progresses achieved in the field of vaccination will be put forth and discussed among the foreign and Turkish scientists who have vast experiences in the field.

We have great confidence that the “National Vaccine Symposium” with your valuable contributions will be a great addition to our national medicine and to international science. Therefore we would like to extend our desire to see you in the symposium along with our wishes of health and prosperity.