HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – The BactiVac 5th Annual Network Meeting attracted 184 participants, including researchers, healthcare professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and policymakers from around the world.
The Bacterial Vaccines Network (BactiVac) serves as a platform to accelerate global efforts in the development and use of vaccines against bacterial infections. Bacterial infections are causing approximately five million deaths each year, and the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further complicates efforts to control these infections. To address this global challenge, the network convenes each year to foster cross-sector collaboration and exchange the latest vaccine technologies.
A key outcome of the 2024 BactiVac Network Meeting was the formation of new partnerships and strategies to advance vaccine development. During the three-day programme, scientists from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries shared their latest vaccine research findings and discussed innovative technologies, including mRNA platforms.
Special attention was given to urgent regional health issues, such as the need for vaccines against Klebsiella pneumoniae in Vietnam and the strengthening of vaccine manufacturing and regulation in Bangladesh.
The meeting also explored the complex challenges of developing bacterial vaccines, including navigating clinical trial hurdles and addressing the social factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. One of the highlights was a translational workshop that explored strategies to advance vaccines from the laboratory to clinical use. This session offered practical insights into overcoming the “Valley of Death” in vaccine development, providing actionable strategies for navigating early-stage trials and scaling up manufacturing efforts.
Professor Guy Thwaites highlighted the importance of BactiVac Network Meeting: “By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, we are building a shared vision for addressing some of the world’s most urgent infectious disease challenges. This meeting is a critical step in advancing vaccines against bacterial infections and improving public health globally.”
OUCRU is a leading research institute focused on infectious diseases, driving local research with global impact. By hosting the first BactiVac Network meeting in Asia, OUCRU has demonstrated its commitment to fostering international collaboration and advancing health solutions worldwide.
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ABOUT BACTIVAC
Founded in August 2017, the Bacterial Vaccines Network (BactiVac) is one of five vaccinology networks supported by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). BactiVac brings together members based in academic, industry and policy sectors to accelerate the development of vaccines against bacterial infections relevant to LMICs.
The BactiVac Network delivers this through catalyst projects and training awards to encourage cross-collaboration between academic and industrial partners in developed and developing nations.
