Prof. Dr. L.G. (Leo) Visser

I am a professor of Infectious Diseases with a specific interest in travel medicine and vaccination studies. I am head of the Infectious Diseases subsection of the LUCID. In my day-to-day work, I am involved in (outpatient) clinical care, education and the resident training program for specialists in internal medicine and infectious diseases. I am a member of various national and international committees and scientific organizations, where my expertise lies mainly in the field of vaccinations, immune disorders, tropical and travel medicine and global health.

My research focuses on the anamnestic antibody response and duration of immune protection after vaccination, both in healthy and vulnerable people such as patients with an immune disorder and older persons. A second line of research focuses on dose-saving strategies through alternative vaccination schedules or vaccination pathways, in particular for vaccines used against neglected diseases such as mpox, yellow fever and rabies. Fractional dosing can be a solution to make the most of the limited vaccine supplies in conditions of mass emergency vaccination with limited vaccine supplies. The studies are carried out at the vaccination outpatient clinic of the LUMC. At the vaccination outpatient clinic, we also offer specialized care, including vaccination for travelers and immunosuppressed patients. The Vaccination Outpatient Clinic is part of the Leiden Vaccine Group, which aims to unite partners in the field of vaccine development and promote research to accelerate vaccine development.