The Católica Medical School is thrilled to present the first Master of Science program in Immunology and Vaccinology in Portugal, and one of very few programs worldwide to offer formal training in Vaccinology.

Vaccination is undoubtedly one of the greatest medical achievements of all times.

Vaccination consists on the administration of medicines to healthy people to avoid the development of future disease, which truly represents preventive medicine.

From century-old vaccines such as BCG to recent personalized vaccines against cancer, vaccination bring hope for healthier living, particularly in present times where demographic pressure facilitates rapid evolving of epidemics as well as the establishment of long-lasting chronic diseases. In fact, the overwhelming importance of vaccination has led to the reduction of infectious diseases, improving the longevity and well-being of populations worldwide, as demonstrated, for example, with the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the control of COVID-19 pandemics in recent years.

Yet, vaccine hesitancy as accompanied the successes of vaccination. Never at any time in history vaccination has been so important and so contested. This is a multi-dimension complex issue with scientific, economic, social and ethical questions that must be addressed. Vaccinology is a timely topic, and a highly beneficial public health instrument to combat infectious and non-infectious diseases, and the only weapon to prevent emerging pandemics in the future.

This deserves urgent focus and commitment, from the society and governments, and requires much-needed specialized technicians and scientists. This is the time to embrace a career in vaccinology.

In addition to the Professors from the Faculty of Medicine and Scientists from its research centers, CIIS and CBR, the program includes renowned invited speakers from three continents ranging from academia to pharmaceutical industry, and non-governmental agencies. 

These include:

• The Jenner Institute of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where AstraZeneca´s COVID-19 vaccine was created and developed,
   
• Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain;
   
• Universidade Eduardo Mondelane, Mozambique;
   
• Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil;
   
• Pharmaceutical Industry;
   
• Biotechnology start-ups;
   
• Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

The masters duration is 2 years, and requires 120 ECTS for completion.

The program includes lectures, seminars, and laboratory practicals during the first year, and a dissertation project, project work, or internship report in the second year.  This program is held in English and offers their students the possibility to develop the dissertation at any of these international institutions, in addition to the UCP.