About
About VIVI
Who we are
VIVI is an international scientific think tank and nonprofit research organisation advancing disease prevention. We combine scientific rigour with human-centred design to turn open questions into measurable research—and research into practical tools, evidence and education.
What we do
Our interdisciplinary think tank is the engine for new ideas. Our research organisation puts them into practice by initiating, coordinating and contributing to international research consortia and collaborations. We work across academia, public health, regulatory science and civil society, with patients and communities as research partners.
Our activities
The Vaccine Safety Initiative (VIVI) aims to improve the management and prevention of infectious diseases. Our activities and services include:
Research
- Conducting research studies on infectious diseases and vaccines
- Studying patient perspectives and symptom priorities ( SymptomSurvey )
- Implementing research in crisis situations and with people on the move ( HealthSurvey )
Innovation
- Combining design thinking with patient-centred scientific research
- Developing digital tools to improve quality of care and public health ( ScoreApp )
- Creating mobile health technology for real-time disease monitoring
Education
- Providing an online platform to Strengthen Education and Knowledge on Immunisation ( SEKI )
- Helping families understand and keep track of immunisations ( VaccApp )
- Training young scientists and doctoral students in research and innovation ( Young VIVI )
Policy
- Preparing policy briefs and white papers for international stakeholders
- Writing scientific publications and consensus statements
- Advising on risk analysis, evidence-based medicine and pharmacovigilance
Guidance
- Developing clinical and laboratory endpoints with regulatory agencies
- Evaluating data standards and case definitions
- Designing and conducting quality improvement programmes for children and adults
Leadership
- Coordinating international consortium projects ( MEDLIT, ImmuHubs )
- Engaging professionals and communities to improve quality of care and prevention
- Chairing guideline panels and steering committees
Expertise
- Providing subject-matter expertise to journalists, policymakers and international stakeholders
- Developing investigator-initiated studies and advising on study design
- Editing special issues of scientific journals
Collaboration
- Partnering with patient organisations, professional associations and civil society
- Building research networks ( PEDSIDEA )
- Generating legacy learning hubs for European collaborations ( RIVER-EU, Immunion )
Coordination
- Co-creating new ideas across disciplines ( VIVI Scientific Think Tank )
- Organising expert panels and conferences on infectious diseases and vaccines
- Communicating on prevention through social media and scientific publications
How we started
VIVI began as the Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, around a table in a Viennese coffee house. A group of scientists and doctors shared a concern: communication about infectious disease prevention, and vaccination in particular, was becoming increasingly polarised, to the disadvantage of patients and citizens. What could we, as experts, contribute – to better communication, and to the way healthcare systems approach prevention?
Plenty of good coffee later, the answer was an ambitious one: a scientific think tank bringing together experts from different professions, disciplines and countries.
We began with interdisciplinary consensus papers and the supervision and training of students and young doctors. A collaboration with the School of Design Thinking in Potsdam opened a second stream of work in digital innovation, alongside scientific studies and partnerships with patient organisations.
In 2011, VIVI became a nonprofit association based in Berlin. In 2017, we were nominated for the EU eHealth Award, and we have contributed to European consortium projects ever since – as well as to community projects in the United States, where we are a registered 501(c)(3) organisation. Today we are simply the Vaccine Safety Initiative – VIVI for short.
How we work
Many perspectives.
Members look at each question from a different discipline and a different part of the world.
Design meets science.
Ideas are developed with users through design thinking and rapid prototyping, then tested through implementation research and real-world validation.
Evidence first.
Innovations go through peer review and scientific scrutiny before they are put into use.
