“The International Vaccine Institute – The early days: A personal perspective,” a memoir written by Dr. Richard Mahoney, has been published just in time for IVI’s 26th anniversary.

Dr. Richard Mahoney played a pivotal role in the management of the Children’s Vaccine Initiative (CVI) and subsequently in founding IVI in the 1990s. From the very beginning in 1995, he was actively and extensively involved in laying the foundation for this burgeoning international organization, enabling IVI to become a reality.

In his newly released memoir, he offers a personal narrative detailing the background and historical journey of IVI, providing a vivid chronicle of the Institute’s formative years. Dr. Mahoney said, “This book is for myself, those who are concerned with international organizations and interested in making one, and of course, the IVI staff.”

He noted that as a part of IVI, it is important to know where you come from and understand why IVI was founded. “In the 1990s, the world had come to understand that we were really in the morning of vaccine research and development. The whole new era of vaccine innovation had just started,” he explained.

By coincidence, this special memoir was published just in time for IVI’s 26^th anniversary where Dr. Mahoney was honored by IVI. On October 18, 2023, Dr. Mahoney received the IVI Founders Medal in recognition for his dedication and invaluable contributions to the founding of IVI.

Dr. Mahoney said:

“It is a great honor, and I am very thankful; I am also thankful that IVI is in a position to give such an award. This award is fulfilling the hope that many of us had at the beginning of IVI.”

When asked how IVI has changed since its establishment in 1997, he answered ‘IVI has become a truly international organization.’

“In the early days, we were focusing on making IVI a functioning organization. In the future, IVI can only but grow. Viruses are not going to go away, and pandemics are going to continue to come; the world is going to see the value of IVI. That is the most essential change I see.”

We express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Mahoney for his extraordinary contributions to the founding and development of IVI and for this exceptional memoir about its early history.

*Purchase the book here. (Note that this book cannot be shipped to Korea.)

*Read Dr. Richard Mahoney’s 2022 interview with IVI: Reflecting on 25 years of IVI with Dr. Richard Mahoney