Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC)

What is the VIC?

The Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) promotes and coordinates the interests of the international veterinary immunology community. A notable feature of veterinary immunology is its diversity – it encompasses a wide range of domesticated and wildlife animal hosts which are affected by disparate pathogens and immunological conditions.

Sub-committees and working groups with a specialised focus are established from time to time to assist VIC.

The Veterinary Immunology Committee is composed of 5-8 veterinary immunologists, co-opted with the aim of achieving equitable representation for different regions of the world. There is no formal election process for membership. A Chairperson and members are selected as needed at VIC meetings held at each International Veterinary Immunology Symposium. Members usually remain in office for two succeeding three-year terms.

Field of action

As a scientific discipline, veterinary immunology traverses topics ranging from fundamental studies on how the immune system functions to more applied areas such as production of vaccines and clinical applications of immunology. The main activities of VIC include:

Promote veterinary immunology
Assist with the planning and funding of International Veterinary Immunology Symposia (IVIS) – these are held every three years as satellite meetings of the International Congress of Immunology;
Coordinate databases containing information of interest to veterinary immunologists;
Sponsor and support regional workshops and conferences;
Coordinate the development of a toolkit of immunological reagents suitable for use in animals of veterinary interest;
Administer the Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award.