1. Introduction Basic immunological concepts Innate immunity Cellular component Humoral component Adaptive (acquired) immunity Humoral component Cellular component Dynamics of the immune response Relative importance of cellular and humoral immunity in effective protection2. General principles of vaccines and vaccination Introduction Methods of active artificial immunisation Practical vaccine application Adverse reactions to vaccines3. Transfer of passive immunity to the piglet Passive immunity and its role in the piglet Introduction Colostrum, transient milk and mature milk The role of colostrum in newborn piglet survival Transfer of humoral and cellular immunity Introduction Humoral immunity Cellular immunity Strategy for improving the transfer of passive immunity Interference with active immunity by passive immunity Introduction Interference with the development of humoral immunity Interference with the development of cellular immunity Strategies to overcome maternal immunity and develop effective active immunity in the newborn4. Prevention programmes in pigs Basic concepts Bacterial diseases: sow vaccination programmes Vaccination against exotoxin–producing bacteria Vaccination against extracellular bacteria Viral diseases: sow vaccination programmes Vaccination against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome Vaccination against porcine circovirus disease Vaccination against parvovirus infection Vaccination against swine influenza5. Practical aspects of the transfer of passive immunity to the piglet Management of colostrum consumption1 Factors related to quality Factors related to quantity Measuring the transfer of passive immunityReferences