Summary

The goal of population-based immunization is to eradicate preventable diseases. The goal of immunization in any one individual, e.g., an oral healthcare provider, is to prevent disease. The decision to immunize OHCP against a specific pathogen is based on:

1. an assessment of the risk of infection,

2. the consequences of natural unmodified illness,

3. the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, and

4. the duration of immunity.

The cost-effectiveness of disease prevention by immunization rather than by disease treatment is unequivocal. This should prompt an acute interest in developing and implementing immunization strategies in all oral healthcare settings.