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The IVI is an International Organization established at the
initiative of the United Nations Development Programme under
the Vienna Convention of 1969 with the signatures so far of
40 countries and the World Health Organization. It is governed
by an independent Board of Trustees and is located in Seoul,
Korea. Korea serves both as the Host Country and also as a
generous supporter of the IVI. Korea is providing a portion
of the operating budget and a state-of-the-art 17,000 square
meter research building with pilot plant.
The IVI is an international center of research, training
and technical assistance for vaccines needed in developing
countries. Its major recent activities and accomplishments
are:
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The creation of a multi-national team of
scientists and technical specialists in clinical assistance,
and training at its headquarters in Seoul and in sites
in various developing countries. |
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The formation of collaborative networks throughout Asia
and elsewhere for studies of vaccines, which integrate
the relevant disciplines of epidemiology, clinical trials,
economic analysis, behavioral science, and policy analysis. |
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The development of a multi-country, multidisciplinary
program to accelerate the development and introduction
of vaccines against the enteric infections cholera, Shigella,
and typhoid fever. |
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Measurement of the disease burden in Asian children
of meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b
(Hib). Neisseria meningitides, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. |
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The development of a multi-country, multidisplinary
program in Japanese encephalitis to expand the use of
existing vaccines and accelerate the development of new
vaccines. |
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The provision of technical assistance and training programs
for vaccine production and regulation in developing countries. |
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The formation of collaborative networks with vaccine
manufacturers in developed and developing countries to
accelerate vaccine research, development and technology
transfer. |
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The provision of training in clinical evaluation of
vaccines in developing country settings. |
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The formation of close collaboration with the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance for
Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in setting priorities,
defining strategies, and undertaking needed vaccine-related
activities. |
A major IVI strength is capacity building in vaccine research,
development, production and regulation in developing countries.
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