Dear Colleagues,

Vaccination is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases, including the ongoing catastrophic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Thanks to the worldwide resource and endeavor, two mRNA-based vaccines, which are the first of the class, are available within one year since the discovery of the causative agent. More than two dozen COVID-19 vaccines have now been authorized around the globe, and many more remain in active development. The wide application of current vaccines among adults has shown effects to curb the pandemic. However, the field still faces big challenges ahead, such as the emergence of new variants, long-term safety concerns, vaccination in the young children (<5 years), and preparedness for future pandemics not only for coronaviruses but also for other viruses with pandemic-potential.

No coronavirus vaccine is available before the COVID-19 pandemic. While knowledge of other coronaviruses and established vaccine platforms greatly speeds up the development of COVID-19 vaccines, novel concepts and new technologies of vaccine development are widely investigated by scientists worldwide. The vaccine field faces great challenges and opportunities during the current pandemic and experiences major advancement. This special issue of MPDI Vaccines focuses on the most recent progress and current vaccine development trends in the vaccine field. We sincerely invite you to contribute with an original research article, review, or perspective on the latest researches to highlight, (i) novel experimental vaccine candidates, (ii) novel adjuvants and delivery vehicles, (iii) immune responses elicited by a novel vaccine, (iv) concerns and optimizations of vaccine strategies. This special issue emphasizes on major infectious diseases caused by viruses, but related topics on other human pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, are also welcomed.  

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Xiaohua Ye
Dr. Zhiqiang Ku
Dr. Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• vaccine development
• infectious diseases
• COVID-19
• mRNA vaccine
• adjuvants
• immune responses
• delivery vehicles