The Netherlands Vaccine Institute (NVI) was created in 2003 from the former Vaccine Division of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). This new government-based Agency reflects thereby more than 100 years of extensive knowledge and experience gained through vaccine research and production.

NVI's mission is to guarantee (by procurement or own production) the supply of vaccines necessary to protect the Dutch population against infectious diseases. 

To achieve its mission, the institute strives to enter into strategic collaborations with various partners such as international pharmaceutical companies. Such collaborations include the exchange of knowledge and products, and cooperation in research and product development. Examples are the development of a Meningococcal B / Pneumococcal combination.

Vaccine with Wyeth (USA) and of a vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus together with Nobilon, Akzo Nobel's International Business-unit.

The NVI further cooperates with vaccine producers in developing countries notably in Indonesia and India. The NVI functions as a training centre and a resource institute for WHO's Global Training Network on Vaccine Quality and for the DCVMN. NVI also houses the WHO Collaborating Centre for Smallpox Vaccine.