As the world’s largest non-profit scientific conference dedicated exclusively to vaccines, the ISV Annual Congress attracts leaders and emerging voices from across the vaccine ecosystem. The program spans human and veterinary preventive vaccination, as well as immunotherapy, and encompasses the full spectrum of vaccinology—from fundamental discovery and translational research to clinical development, regulatory science, manufacturing, and implementation. Participants from academia, industry, government institutions , and non-governmental organizations come together to address challenges and shape the future of vaccines.

The meeting program will contain invited lectures from internationally recognized leaders suggested by the Scientific Committee, supplemented with high-quality presentations selected from submitted abstracts. Early-career researchers and scientists from groups traditionally underrepresented in science are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for consideration as oral presentations.

A hallmark of the ISV Congress is its vibrant and inclusive scientific community. The meeting fosters meaningful interactions between established experts and early-career scientists, creating opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and cross-sector dialogue. By uniting diverse perspectives and expertise, the 2026 ISV Annual Congress in Antwerp aims to inspire new ideas, catalyze partnerships, and accelerate progress toward innovative vaccines and immunotherapies that improve global health. Targeted initiatives include career development panel discussions, structured opportunities for senior scientists to provide feedback on poster presentations, and participation in the ISV mentoring program. In addition, the popular Bright Sparks sessions—competitive, juried presentations—offer postdoctoral fellows and young investigators a high-profile platform to showcase their research excellence and communication skills.

We look forward to welcoming you October 12–14 in the beautiful city of Antwerp, at the heart of Europe and conveniently accessible by train or car from several major international airports.

The ISV 2026 Annual Congress Chairs:
Michael Schotsaert, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
Isabel Leroux-Roels, Ghent University, Belgium
Lakshmi Krishnan, National Research Council, Canada