Vaccines: Over 200 Years of Saving Lives, but Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic?

Name: Vaccines: Over 200 Years of Saving Lives, but Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic?
Start: 2026-03-08T14:00:00-04:00
Location: Monroe County Public Library

Schedule

Sun, 08 Mar, 2026 at 02:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Monroe County Public Library | Bloomington, IN

Vaccines have been saving lives for over 200 years, but recent decisions by the current administration have put millions at risk for known diseases as well as possible future pandemics. In this presentation, IU Emerita Professor of Biology, Patricia Foster, will briefly review what vaccines are, how they protect against infections, and how their efficacy and safety are determined. Then she will delve into the science of mRNA vaccines, how they were developed, how effective they were against the COVID pandemic, and why they are our best defense against upcoming pandemics.
The talk will be followed by a brief reception. The downtown branch of the Monroe County Public Library is at 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN.