Dr. Michael Favorov, the IVI’s Deputy Director-General for Translational
Research, delivers opening remarks at the Ninth International Advanced
Course on Vaccinology for the Asia Pacific Regions on May 11, 2009.

The IVI hosted the Ninth International Advanced Course on Vaccinology for the Asia-Pacific Regions during May 11-16. The weeklong training course for professionals is designed to help countries boost their capacity in the areas of vaccine evaluation, introduction and policy through training of professionals in the region.

The annual event brought together over 100 participants, including faculty, from 25 countries. The participants included scientists, public health officials and policymakers involved in vaccine development and vaccination policy from private and public sectors.

More than 20 experts from the IVI, universities, research institutions, industry, non-profit organizations, and international agencies (including the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) served as faculty for the course. The course aims to help countries better cope with the threat of infectious diseases, including emerging diseases such as influenza A (H1N1), by expanding their understanding of key issues related to vaccine development, production, evaluation and introduction. Every year fifteen professionals from developing countries attend the course through fellowships provided by sponsors.

The event is hosted by the IVI, and sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Korea Exchange Bank Foundation.