Answering the call for educating the new generation of vaccinologists--A new European Erasmus+ Joint Master degree in vaccinology.

Vaccines are among the most cost-effective health measures, saving millions of lives each year (WHO). Immunization has led to the eradication of smallpox and poliomyelitis. Immunization also contributes to broader economic benefits and increased cognitive abilities [1,2]. However, the benefits of vaccines are often not fully valued as evidenced by public concerns regarding vaccine safety, quality or efficacy. In addition, the spread of public misinformation via the internet and other media has the potential to impair immunization programs. Elements to improve public confidence in vaccines include evidence-based decision-making procedures and recommendations, controlled processes for licensing and monitoring vaccine safety, effectiveness, disease surveillance, and high quality education programs. Engagement of the community with appropriate communication approaches for each audience is a key factor in building trust in vaccines [3]. Vaccine safety/quality issues should be handled quickly and transparently to be effective. In order to maximize the utilization of vaccines, and thus sustain trust in vaccines, partnerships are needed between public and private health sector stakeholders. Confidence in vaccines can be improved through collaborations that concomitantly ensure (i) efficient highlevel vaccine coverage; (ii) information for the public and other stakeholders concerning the benefits of vaccines; and (iii) ongoing evaluation of vaccine safety monitored by an independent expert body with full transparency. All of the above are best accomplished by insuring adequate numbers of professionals trained in the sciences of vaccinology. Vaccinology is a multidisciplinary discipline that includes vaccine development, education, utilization, policy, and safety. As such, it combines knowledge from basic sciences, medical sciences, public health and social sciences. Vaccinology requires inputs from various basic sciences (mainly immunology, virology and genetics), clinical medicine (clinical trials development, pediatrics, internal medicine), public health (methodology, epidemiology and biostatistics) and social sciences (psychology, communications, public health policy, anthropology). There is clearly an important need to train young scientists as vaccinologists across these areas of content, in order to create a continuous pipeline of vaccinologists for the future [4–7]. There is also a clear need for innovation in vaccine development. Ideally, a vaccinologist grasps a general overview of all disciplines involved, but is also able to focus on a single discipline in depth, as related to vaccinology. A vaccinologist holds a clear overview of how these elements could be assembled to generate new concepts. In our point of view, the three main aspects to train vaccinologists are (1) in-depth exposure of trainees to the multidisciplinary aspects of vaccinology; (2) academic teaching in basic and clinical sciences; (3) practical vaccinology training undertaken in both public sector and industry settings. Such a program prepares vaccinologists to conceive, develop, and assess new vaccines and vaccine policy. A previous editorial in Vaccine called for educating the next generation of vaccinologists, and the clear-cut need for advanced training programs in vaccinology [4]. A new Erasmus Mundus – Joint Master degrees granted by EACEA, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission, entitled “Leading International Vaccinology Education” (LIVE), is scheduled to start in 2016. The general objective of the new LIVE program is to train the next generation of vaccinologists who will have to manage an increasing number of infectious and non-infectious vaccine targets for many important issues: unsolved and still emerging infectious diseases, immunosenescence in an era where there is exponential aging of the population, non-infectious but immune-related diseases (e.g., allergy, cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, addictions, etc.), and others. Such needs parallel the global requirement to decrease health care expenses while increasing quality and health care outcomes. Meeting these needs starts with providing the funding, teachers, excellent training and career pathways for smart and dedicated students who will devote their professional careers to Vaccinology. LIVE is a novel two-year program for talented and motivated students interested in multidisciplinary studies in Vaccinology. It is a joint project between five European universities (Barcelona, Antwerp, Saint-Etienne and Lyon), each one awarding a Master degree of excellent quality. Academic internationality is enriched by a worldwide network of 12 academic universities from Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Europe, and USA. LIVE students will develop a trans-national appreciation for vaccine issues by in-residence participation in educational activities in at least three different countries during the program. Graduates are will also be well prepared for doctoral-level research in Ph.D. programs funded by associated partners. We have identified five specific areas that must be addressed in educating future leaders in vaccinology: