Build Capacity

Building capacity and bridging gaps in sustainable vaccine development is a core component of the International Vaccine Institute’s mission. IVI’s capacity-building programs boost capabilities in low- and middle-income countries to develop and produce vaccines and other biologics locally, helping to address vaccine inequity and enhance global pandemic preparedness. IVI also provides fellowship programs with partner organizations to strengthen vaccine workforces around the world.

International Vaccinology Course

IVI’s International Vaccinology Course is our flagship, weeklong program that builds capacity in vaccinology for vaccine professionals from low- and middle-income countries. World-renowned experts from various fields such as vaccinology, immunology, and infectious disease epidemiology participate as faculty members.

We also competitively award fellowships to participants with global health leadership potential from low- and middle-income countries. The course has trained nearly 5,000 professionals since it was launched in 2000.

IVI's 21st International Vaccinology Course kicks off from two locations: IVI HQ in Seoul and the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Credit: IVI

Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing program

In 2022, IVI was designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, as the operator of the Global Bio-intensive Training Courses, part of the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) program. IVI provides workforce training in vaccine and biologics R&D and manufacturing for students and professionals from low- and middle-income countries and Korea.

The training courses provide essential, practical knowledge through an intensive short-term program designed to strengthen students’ professional capacity. Operated throughout the year, programs include offline and online courses on biologics development and manufacturing, standard practice trainings such as the Introductory Course for Standard Practice, and on-site training and consultation for biomanufacturers.

Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing participants at the Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing in 2023. Credit: IVI

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Fellowship

In 2022, IVI signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to support IVI’s operations and strengthen cooperation. A letter of intent was also signed for a fellowship program, enabling KDCA epidemiologists to receive short-term specialized training with IVI’s Epidemiology, Public Health, and Impact unit. This initiative enables Korean epidemiologists to collaborate with IVI researchers and participate in global public health projects in Africa and Asia, enhancing their expertise and capacity.

Some of IVI’s past capacity building programs have included:

  • North Korea Program: We refurbished North Korea’s main reference laboratory at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Pyongyang and trained scientists in lab diagnostics for Japanese encephalitis and Hib as part of efforts to introduce Japanese encephalitis and Hib vaccines in North Korea.
  • Establishment of an immune monitoring lab in India: With India’s National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases and support from the Swedish government, we established a lab in Kolkata for vaccine evaluation studies. The lab, recognized by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, also served as a training ground for Indian scientists in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice.
  • European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership-Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases Clinical Research and Development Fellowship Program: As a participating partner of this program, we assisted researchers and essential members of clinical trial teams from low- and middle-income countries in gaining specialized skills in clinical research and development through placements in pharmaceutical companies, product development partnerships, and research institutions.