International Vaccine Institute

15/10/2026

How can we better understand what shapes public trust in science? And what does it take to earn that trust?

IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim joins Dr. Cary Funk, an expert on public understanding of science, to explore the findings of the newly released Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 in the first episode of Trust in Science, a special series of Wellcome’s When Science Finds a Way podcast.

Drawing on responses from more than 140,000 people across 140 countries, the report reveals how trust in science varies across regions and communities, and how people's experiences with healthcare, institutions, and economic circumstances are connected to their perceptions of science.

In the conversation, Dr. Kim reflects on the importance of looking beyond assumptions about who trusts science and why, listening to communities, and recognizing that scientific evidence alone is not enough to build or restore trust.

As a member of the Wellcome Global Monitor Steering Group, Dr. Kim also discusses how the findings can help researchers and policymakers ask better questions and deepen their understanding of the factors that shape public trust.

🎧 Listen to the episode:

Join botanist-turned-Hollywood actor Alisha Wainwright as she meets the trailblazing scientists and researchers changing the world, alongside the people who have inspired and contributed to their work.

13/10/2026

Could early signs of heart damage help assess the impact of future Strep A vaccines?

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) causes diseases ranging from sore throats and skin infections to life-threatening complications. Strep A-associated diseases are estimated to cause more than 500,000 deaths worldwide each year.

Rheumatic heart disease, one of the most serious complications, can cause long-term illness and disability. But measuring a vaccine’s impact on complications such as RHD remains a challenge.

In a new paper published in npj Vaccines, researchers at IVI and collaborators propose a framework to advance Strep A vaccine development and generate evidence of vaccine impact.

The framework proposes laboratory-confirmed Strep A throat infections (pharyngitis) as an early, practical endpoint in vaccine trials. It also highlights early RHD, detected by heart ultrasound (echocardiography), as a potential way to investigate whether vaccines could help prevent long-term heart damage.

Since RHD can take years to develop, detecting early signs of heart damage could help researchers assess whether future Strep A vaccines can prevent serious complications sooner.

Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-026-01607-5

09/10/2026

One mission, one team, one IVI—celebrating together across the world.

Colleagues across our global offices came together this week to mark Foundation Day, commemorating IVI's establishment and reflecting on our shared mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines—empowering vaccine equity, impact, and sustainability globally.

From the electrifying Mini Olympics games at our headquarters in the Republic of Korea to a celebration of cultural diversity through fashion and food at our Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, and a day of team activities and yoga at our Europe Regional Office in Sweden, Foundation Day was filled with energy, camaraderie, and team spirit.

With staff representing diverse cultures, disciplines, and functions, IVI's strength lies in the collective efforts of our team worldwide. Whether in laboratories, at field sites, or in offices around the world, we are One IVI.

08/10/2026

As the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) outbreak highlights the urgent need for outbreak-ready systems, IVI is pleased to co-organize the special workshop “Vaccine Manufacturing and Global Preparedness in the Context of the Current Ebola BDBV Outbreak” ahead of the International Society for Vaccines (ISV) Annual Congress.

Co-organized by IVI and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the workshop will bring together leaders from across the vaccine ecosystem to examine the current outbreak and the gaps it is exposing in vaccine research and development, manufacturing readiness, rapid response, and preparedness for future outbreaks.

IVI’s Dr. In-Kyu Yoon will discuss lessons from the BDBV outbreak for preparedness against future epidemic threats (“Disease X”) and chair a session on BDBV vaccine approaches while Prof. Nicaise Ndembi will address African research, development, and manufacturing readiness. We are also happy to collaborate with Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan of NRC, an IVI Global Council member.

IVI is proud to support the ISV Annual Congress 2026 as a conference sponsor, contributing to broader discussions on advancing vaccine science and translating innovation into global health preparedness and impact: https://isv-online.org/congress/2026-congress/2026-congress-program/

📍 Antwerp, Belgium
📅 Special workshop: October 11 | ISV Annual Congress: October 12–14

Program Download 2026 ISV Annual Congress Final Program Download Pre-Congress Workshop Final Program Conference topics: Population impact of vaccination Mucosal Vaccines Adjuvants Vaccine Regulatory Science and Policy Bright Sparks PhD Students Immunotherapies Vaccine Technology Vaccines for Vector-...

01/10/2026

Congratulations to Prof. Soo-Jin Jung of Sogang University, recipient of the second IVI-Korean Vaccine Society Young Scientist Award, who joined us at IVI Headquarters for a special seminar on her research.

Prof. Jung is recognized for discovering viral RNA stabilization sequences that could help advance next-generation mRNA vaccine platforms by extending the duration of protein expression. Her research has the potential to improve the efficacy of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics while reducing required doses and administration frequency.

Prof. Jung's achievement exemplifies the innovation and scientific excellence that the IVI-KVS Young Scientist Award was established to recognize. We hope her success will inspire the next generation of vaccine scientists.

Read more: https://www.ivi.int/prof-soo-jin-jung-of-sogang-university-selected-as-recipient-of-the-2nd-ivi-kvs-young-scientist-award/

29/09/2026

We were pleased to welcome colleagues from Temasek Foundation and Leyden Labs to IVI headquarters in Seoul, bringing together expertise across organizations and countries to explore new approaches to infectious disease prevention.

During the visit, IVI and Leyden Labs established a new partnership through a memorandum of understanding to explore collaboration on mucosal protection platform development. The partnership connects expertise and capabilities across the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the Netherlands, opening opportunities for scientific and technical collaboration.

Researchers and leadership from IVI, Leyden Labs, and Temasek Foundation shared their ongoing work and discussed where our respective expertise could come together. We look forward to building on these conversations and working together to advance new approaches to infectious disease prevention.

29/09/2026

BioVax's Vaccine Science Webinar Series - From Antigen Discovery to Next-Generation Vaccines

You’ve been invited to: BioVax's Vaccine Science Webinar Series - From Antigen Discovery to Next-Generation Vaccines

Speaker: Prof. Faith Osier
Date: Tuesday, 29th September 2026,
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm EAT.

Moderator: Dr. Winter Okoth, PhD

This will be a valuable opportunity to gain insights into next-generation vaccines; kindly make time to attend.

It is open to the public. Register using the link below:

464617f8-eca7-40a0-9070-88fea809aa03@14ed2c76-6654-4113-bb42-d83612bee9f8" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/464617f8-eca7-40a0-9070-88fea809aa03@14ed2c76-6654-4113-bb42-d83612bee9f8

Meeting ID: 397 612 844 168 528
Passcode: Wi2rc7P5

28/09/2026

Hear from the 2026 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award laureates as they discuss cholera, vaccine development, and the future of responding to e...

24/09/2026

From the International Vaccine Institute’s headquarters in Seoul, Republic of Korea, we wish a happy Chuseok to everyone celebrating!

As people across Korea and other countries celebrate this mid-autumn harvest holiday, we wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, and abundance.

15/09/2026

Three cities, 200 vaccine professionals from 55 countries. One global learning community.

At IVI’s 25th International Vaccinology Course, participants and faculty came together across Seoul, Kigali, and Stockholm to learn across disciplines, exchange perspectives, and explore what vaccinology looks like in a connected world.

From One Health and global health security to vaccine confidence, access, and real-world application, the course looked beyond individual areas of expertise to the wider systems and relationships that shape vaccine impact.

Read reflections from : https://www.ivi.int/vaccines-for-a-connected-world-learning-across-disciplines-and-borders/