The University of Iowa is one of nine sites nationwide to serve as a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) contracted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases branch of the National Institute of Health.

VTEUs are responsible for testing vaccines in specific populations which increases the NIAID’s ability to direct clinical research to quickly respond to public health needs. Every year the University of Iowa VTEU conducts clinical trials on traditional flu vaccines with added adjuvants. Adjuvants are agents that enhance the body’s immune system response. This site also studies vaccines related to emerging public health issues and tests vaccines that could potentially be safer than the vaccines already being used.

Additionally the University of Iowa VTEU continues to study vaccines for eradicated infectious diseases such as smallpox in the event it is used as a bioterror weapon. The University of Iowa site has been involved with NIH studies testing new vaccines for H1N1, Avian H5N1, Smallpox, Yellow Fever, H5N8, Tuberculosis, and many more. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to research vaccines and treatments against infectious diseases in people of all ages and risk categories to better enhance global health.