Supported by partners such as the WHO, the Gates Foundation, the ECDC, CEPI, and Johns Hopkins University, the course offered a comprehensive program of 14 key sessions, covering the vaccine journey (from vaccination to its impact) through to the selection of vaccination strategies in the field.
Two new themes were introduced this year to address current challenges:
- Artificial intelligence and vaccines
- A debate on the topic “Mandatory Vaccination vs. Voluntary Vaccination” inspired by Oxford Union debates, inviting participants to take a stand on a key issue concerning public health: “Do governments have a moral obligation to mandate certain vaccines when individual freedom threatens public health?”
The final morning on May 22 was dedicated to the communication session, which this year was updated in association with the JITSUVAX project, an initiative launched in response to the global spread of falsehoods about vaccination that aims to combat disinformation.
As the course drew to a close, Dorothée Lintner, Director General of the Mérieux Foundation, reiterated the essence of ADVAC:
“This is a unique opportunity to learn, to come together, to expand our network, and to broaden our thinking in this field. We must move forward together to advance science, knowledge, sharing, and trust.”
Mr. Alain Mérieux took the floor to highlight the global approach of these sessions:
“Our entire lives have revolved around this kind of exchange, and we wanted to make this a place where people come together to discuss international issues relating to infectious diseases, taking a global approach. And the more we go out into the field, the more we realize that vaccines are important, that diagnosis is important, but that nutrition is too. The environment is becoming important; education is becoming important. This is why a systemic, global approach is essential.”
Over the course of two weeks, the course provided participants with an overview of vaccinology as a field, ranging from immunology to vaccine development and clinical trials, while also addressing the social, economic, political, and ethical issues involved in vaccination. Nearly 80 world-renowned experts guided the participants, leading plenary sessions and group workshops to develop their scientific background and knowledge beyond their areas of expertise and to facilitate their critical decision-making in the field.
