International Microorganism Day: From the Discovery of the Microscopic World to the Future of Vaccines and Health

September 17, International Microorganism Day, is an opportunity to recognize the fundamental role of the microscopic world in shaping modern biology, medicine, and emerging health technologies. A significant part of today’s scientific and medical advances—from understanding infectious agents to developing vaccines—has been made possible through the study and understanding of microorganisms.

International Microorganism Day commemorates the first recorded description of a microorganism by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek on September 17, 1683. His observations marked a pivotal moment in the exploration of a world that had previously remained invisible to the naked eye.

Since then, microbiology has evolved far beyond the simple observation of microorganisms and has become one of the fundamental disciplines underpinning modern life sciences and medicine. Understanding mechanisms of pathogenicity, developing diagnostic methods, advancing antimicrobial strategies, and creating innovative vaccine and biotechnology platforms are all closely connected to progress in microbiological sciences.

Today, as the world faces emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and new health threats, the role of microbiology is increasingly interconnected with the One Health approach—an integrated perspective that recognizes the close relationship between human, animal, and environmental health.

In this context, the First International Congress on Vaccines and Vaccination (ICVV), with a focus on scientific and technological advancement in the field of vaccines and a One Health approach, will bring together researchers, specialists, academics, knowledge-based companies, and professionals from the vaccine industry. The congress will provide a platform for scientific exchange on the latest achievements, challenges, and future directions in vaccine research and development.

The congress will be held on December 16–17, 2026, at Milad Tower, Tehran, covering topics including next-generation vaccine technologies, novel vaccine platforms, recombinant vaccines, mRNA vaccine technology, artificial intelligence in vaccine design and development, reverse vaccinology, systems biology, and other emerging areas shaping the future of vaccines and vaccination.

International Microorganism Day is a reminder of a remarkable scientific journey—from the discovery of the microscopic world to the advanced frontiers of diagnostics, prevention, therapeutics, and vaccine development. The future of this journey will depend increasingly on the convergence of science, technology, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The First International Congress on Vaccines and Vaccination invites researchers, specialists, academics, and professionals in related fields to participate and contribute to a scientific dialogue on the future of vaccines, vaccination, and global health.

Secretariat of the First International Congress on Vaccines and Vaccination