Vaccine research network awarded £1.2 million grant
The network has members in 93 countries.
The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN), based at the Roslin Institute, has been awarded a £1.2 million grant from the Medical Research Council.
The network, which is made up of more than 1,900 scientists and industry partners from 93 countries around the world, aims to help develop improved vaccines for livestock and zoonotic diseases.
It is one of five global vaccine networks which provide a collaborative platform for researchers, particularly from low and middle income countries, to share knowledge and expertise.
The funding will allow IVVN to provide funding for collaboration between scientists, offer training opportunities, and engage the next generation of scientists.
Dr Timothy Connelley, network director of IVVN, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding to continue our activities to support veterinary vaccinologists across the world.
“With this funding, we will continue efforts to bring the human and veterinary vaccine research communities together, support scientific collaboration by providing pump-priming funding, provide training for early career researchers and expand our schools outreach programme to inspire the next generation of scientists.”
Dr Mark Palmer, director of international strategy at the Medical Research Council, said: “Investing in collaborations like these will better prepare us for future disease epidemics and to more effectively tackle the slow-moving pandemic of antimicrobial resistance.
“These global networks are integral to ensuring the UK harnesses the extraordinary potential of research and innovation to enrich and improve the lives of people living in the UK and around the world.”
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
