Vaccine institute director honored

John Clemens, the director general of the Seoul-based International Vaccine Institute, received the 2010 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal Award, an annual award given to experts and researchers who made great contributions to the development and distribution of vaccines. Clemens was honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

The award, given since 1994, is given in honor of late Dr. Sabin’s efforts to reduce suffering and promote peace through cross-border development and the distribution of vaccines - a legacy often dubbed vaccine diplomacy.

Clemens, a graduate of Stanford and Yale universities, conducted vaccine studies in countries including Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India and Mozambique. He has led the Seoul-based institute since 1999.

By Jung Ha-won [hawon@joongang.co.kr]