It is our great honour to welcome you to the conference of the Viral Infection and Immune Response (VIIR), hosted jointly by Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nature Microbiology, Nature Communications, Chinese Society of Immune Cell Biology and Shanghai Fenglin Alliance. Viral infections are an important cause of death worldwide. In addition, viruses such as influenza, Ebola, MERS, SARS and Chikungunya, are responsible for emergent epidemics that threaten global health. This meeting aims to stimulate the interaction between the fields of virology and immunology in order to advanceour understanding of viral epidemiology and pathogenesis, as well as the innateand adaptive immune responses elicited by the host. Current advances in immune intervention and disease prevention, including the latest developments invaccine research, will be discussed. Through stimulating interactions at the interface of virology and immunology, this conference will explore when and howa virus induces disease, thus identifying new avenues for treatment and prevention.