Within the last centuries, infection research has significantly contributed to combating various infectious diseases, such as pox, measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, diphtheria and tetanus. Today, vaccinations save millions of lives each year. During the last 50 years, the use of vaccinations helped to decrease infant mortality by 50 percent. Despite the progress achieved, the number of vaccinations declines and a large proportion of the population is rather sceptical about it.

The symposium, presented by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in collaboration with the French Académie des Sciences and the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, addresses opportunities of vaccination research and also covers perspectives of modern vaccination strategies. Having been used so far to fight infectious diseases, latest immunology research has developed further areas of application for vaccinations including the treatment of allergies, autoimmune diseases and even cancer.

The symposium will take place on the occasion of the 50-year jubilee of the Élysée Treaty and its program will include appearances by the Nobel laureate and Leopoldina member Prof. Harald zur Hausen and Prof. Jules Hoffmann, Nobel laureate and member of the Leopoldina and the Académie des sciences.

The symposium will be held in English. The evening lecture of Harald zur Hausen “Primärprävention – Der einzige Weg, die Krebserkrankungsrate zu senken“ (“Primary prevention – the only way to reduce cancer morbidity”) will be held in German. Simultaneous interpretation German-English will be provided.

Registration is required for fboth events. Please follow the link on the right.