The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an international nonprofit organization that was founded on the belief that the health of children in developing countries can be dramatically improved by the use of new and improved vaccines. Working in collaboration with the international scientific community, public health organizations, governments, and industry, IVI is involved in all areas of the vaccine spectrum – from new vaccine design in the laboratory to vaccine development and evaluation in the field to facilitating sustainable introduction of vaccines in countries where they are most needed.
Created initially as an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IVI began formal operations as an independent international organization in 1997 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Currently, IVI has 35 countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) as signatories and/or state parties to its Establishment Agreement. The Institute has a unique mandate to work exclusively on vaccine development and introduction specifically for people in developing countries, with a focus on neglected diseases affecting these regions.
Their approach is based on three components:
Research – vaccine R&D, translational and field research
Partnerships – product development partnerships, international research consortia, and networks
Capacity-building – training, technical assistance, and technology transfers
Vision: Developing countries free of suffering from infectious disease
Mission: Discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines for global public health
