The development and deployment of safe and highly efficacious vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus played a crucial role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The remarkable speed with which these vaccines were developed was possible due to the immense progress made over at least two decades in our basic understanding of areas such as immunology, virology and vaccinology together with innovations in vaccine production, testing and deployment.

This Symposium will bring together experts who contributed in diverse ways towards the development and implementation of vaccines to control COVID-19. Together, we will reflect on the lessons learned from this remarkable experience, a high point for the field of vaccine development, and consider how to address the challenges in pandemic preparedness and global health that lie ahead.

This event will celebrate the 15^th anniversary of the Institut Pasteur Vaccinology Course. Information for the alumni and lecturers of this course is available in the " Course 15^th anniversary" page.