[Use of vaccines to prevent the development of bacterial resistance]

Vaccinations against bacterial pathogens play a crucial role in infection prevention, especially given the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Historically, vaccines against cholera, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) marked the first significant advances in the fight against bacterial diseases. Later, vaccines against meningococcus and tetanus, among others, were added. These active immunizations expose the immune system to components of the pathogen, stimulating the production of antibodies, T helper cells, B cells, and memory cells, thereby providing long-term protection. The targeted development of new vaccines, even against difficult-to-treat bacterial pathogens, is enabled by a wide range of vaccine types, including inactivated, toxoid-based, and recombinant vaccines, as well as modern approaches such as reverse vaccinology and messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) technologies combined with enhancing adjuvants. In addition to active immunization, passive immunization, in which pathogen-specific antibodies are administered directly, also plays an important role.At the population level, clear epidemiological effects of vaccination programs are evident, as vaccinations protect not only individuals but also communities, thus contributing to public health. Despite the clear medical and economic advantages of vaccination programs, their acceptance among the population must be significantly increased through objective information policies. Currently, numerous vaccines are under development, which, through innovative technologies, are opening up new avenues for effectively preventing and controlling bacterial infections-a crucial step in an era of increasing antibiotic resistance.