Center for Immunization Research (CIR)
Leaders in vaccine development, research and education since 1985.
Welcome to the Center for Immunization Research
CIR was founded to facilitate the development of new vaccines against infectious diseases of global importance. Here you can find the latest evidence-based updates about vaccines, learn about clinical studies, read journal articles by our infectious disease experts, and more.
Our Research
Join a clinical study
Project SAVE (Support a Vaccine Effort) is the adult recruitment program at the Center for Immunization Research. The program is used to screen adult potential study participants to help determine their eligibility for specific clinical vaccine studies at the CIR.
New and Noteworthy
FDA Approves First Vaccine to Prevent Disease Caused by Chikungunya Virus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ixchiq, the first chikungunya vaccine. Ixchiq is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus.
COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved 2.4 million lives, according to health economists
A working paper by researchers from the University of Southern California and Brown University analyzed the global impacts of COVID-19 vaccines.
Infecting volunteers with dengue virus shows experimental drug’s promise
Study leader Anna Durbin discusses the power and limits of a provocative human challenge trial
Scientists deliberately gave women Zika — here’s why
Findings from a challenge study conducted by CIR's Team FIRE indicate that the two strains of Zika administered in the trial can be safely and effectively used to infect participants in a Zika vaccine trial.
How Human Challenge Trials Accelerate Vaccine Development
Vaccinated, intentionally infected, and sequestered in a hospital unit, volunteers help researchers fast-track promising vaccine candidates.
Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time
Coadministration of vaccines refers to giving or getting more than one vaccine during a visit. This is common clinical practice. While there are some exceptions, many vaccines can be given at the same visit.
Meet our Faculty
Our dedicated faculty members work together to carry out CIR’s mission by applying public health expertise to their individual infectious diseases areas of interest. Learn more about their important work on the BSPH faculty pages.
Anna Durbin, MD, studies experimental vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, dengue, West Nile, Zika, malaria, and more in human clinical trials and in controlled human infection studies.
Support our Research
Your financial gift can both support our important immunization research and help us combat misinformation about vaccines