Immunity for health is proud to share that Prof. Pierre Van Damme, co-founder and long-standing Vice-Chairman of our Board of Directors, has been awarded the honorary title of Baron by King Philippe of Belgium.
This prestigious recognition was announced on Belgium’s National Day, 21 July 2025, and acknowledges Prof. Van Damme’s lifelong contributions to public health, vaccinology and science-based policy. He is emeritus professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Antwerp and director of Vaccinopolis, a unique clinical trial centre for infectious diseases.
Throughout his career, Prof. Van Damme has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving population health through vaccination and disease prevention. His efforts have been particularly impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he advised national and European health authorities, and helped strengthen public confidence in immunisation.
He is one of twenty distinguished Belgians who received an honorary title or decoration this year. Other notable figures from the health and research sector include immunologist Arnaud Marchant, Director of the Plotkin European Institute for Vaccinology, who was appointed Commander in the Order of Leopold, and Dr. Lutgarde Lynen, specialist in internal medicine and former Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, who received the title of Baroness. Additional honourees include Delphine Heenen (KickCancer), Daniel Thierry (CARE Belgium), and Emmanuel Keirse, psychologist and author.
We are honoured to count Prof. Van Damme among our Board members and extend our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved distinction.
