September 26, 2024, BANGKOK, Thailand — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and National Vaccine Institute (NVI) of Thailand kicked off a two-day training today in Bangkok to build human capacity in vaccine development and deployment across ASEAN partner countries. This training is a feature of the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (AVSSR) initiative which was spearheaded by Thailand in 2014 to bolster capabilities in vaccine development thereby increasing production, access, and sustainable vaccine security in the region.

Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, said: “IVI and NVI enjoy a productive partnership with a shared vision of increasing access to safe, effective, and affordable vaccines while building a sustainable research and manufacturing ecosystem. Through the AVSSR initiative, ASEAN member countries have the potential to build a robust and self-reliant vaccine ecosystem fit to address regional health priorities and remain ready to respond to pandemic threats. IVI fully supports the AVSSR initiative, and we are thrilled to co-host this vaccine technology training.”

Dr. Nakorn Premsri, Director of NVI, said: “Building human resource capacities is vital to achieving vaccine security and self-reliance across ASEAN. This two-day training offers participants a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts, fostering future collaboration while strengthening existing partnerships, which will help ensure the sustainability of vaccine development and deployment in our region. I deeply appreciate the contributions of the International Vaccine Institute, the World Bank, and the ASEAN Secretariat in making this training possible. Together, by strengthening our collective capacities, we can work toward a healthier, more resilient ASEAN and contribute meaningfully to the global health community.”

The training consists of lectures, practical case studies, and interactive activities highlighting topics across vaccine technology transfer, from process development to business and legal implications; global regulatory practices, including experiences from pooled procurement initiatives; risk communication; and global health security coordination. Facilitating these sessions are speakers from IVI and NVI as well as key vaccine manufacturers in the region such as PT Bio Farma and SK bioscience; global coalitions such as the CEPI-hosted Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative; government agencies including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Duke-NUS Centre of Regulatory Excellence.

The participants are expected to gain deeper knowledge of the vaccine life cycle with special attention to technology transfer and regulatory considerations. With further opportunities for networking and regional collaboration, this training demonstrates the goals and activities of the AVSSR initiative. IVI and NVI are very grateful for the contributions of all the speakers and the support of the World Bank in the work of human resource development among ASEAN Member States.

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About the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines at all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more. IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine, pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and developed a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine that also achieved WHO prequalification in early 2024.

IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea with a Europe Regional Office in Sweden, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, a Country Office in Austria, and a Country and Project Office in Kenya. IVI additionally co-founded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong and hosts Collaborating Centers in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. 42 countries and the WHO are members of IVI, and the governments of the Republic of Korea, Sweden, India, Finland, Austria, and Thailand provide state funding. For more information, please visit https://www.ivi.int.

About the National Vaccine Institute (NVI)

The National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is a government agency functioned as a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Minister of Public Health governed by National Vaccine Security Act of B.E.2561 (2018). NVI collaborates with the Ministry of Public Health’ departments, as well as academic institutions and vaccine manufacturers to support national vaccine security. Its mission is to drive and develop national vaccine policy and strategic plan, promote the nations capacity through the development of human resources and infrastructures for vaccine research, development and production, build a collaborative network among vaccine experts and professionals domestically and internationally, as well as generate and manage vaccine information and technology. NVI’s ultimate goal is to lead Thailand towards vaccine security and self-reliance for vaccines in Thailand, including routine vaccines and vaccines for emergency situations. For more information, please visit http://www.nvi.go.th/

CONTACT

IVI:

Aerie Em, Global Communications & Advocacy Manager
+82 2 881 1386 | aerie.em@www.ivi.int

NVI:

Global Affairs and Scientific Communication

+66 2 580 9729-31 | gsc.staff@nvi.go.th