Jiyeongmi, Director of KDCA, "We Must Strengthen Global Networks to Prepare for Future Infectious Diseases"

Commissioner Ji Young-mi

Jiyoungmi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said on the 28th at a gathering of vaccine experts from around the world, "I hope the global network for rapid and effective response to future infectious diseases will be strengthened."

Director Ji made these remarks in her welcoming address at the '5th International Vaccine Immunology Research Forum (GVIRF)' held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Incheon, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and collaboration among countries and institutions worldwide for future pandemic response. GVIRF is an event jointly hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

At this forum, participants will ▲ share the current status of vaccine research and distribution, ▲ identify gaps for the research and development (R&D) community in the vaccine field related to hindering factors, and ▲ discuss opportunities for networking and collaboration in vaccine R&D and immunization.

Jang Heechang, Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on the topic of 'Korea's Future Pandemic Response Research and Development,' addressing the expansion of cooperation in developing vaccines for new and variant infectious diseases and practical research collaboration on unresolved infectious diseases.

Following this, Dr. Barney Graham of the U.S. Vaccine Research Center (VRC) and Jerome Kim, Secretary-General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), will present keynote speeches outlining directions for future pandemic preparedness.