It is of great importance to strengthen the talent training and scientific research in microbiology and vaccinology for the development of public health and preventive medicine. In recent years, numerous research hot topics have emerged in the field of microbiology, which are not only linked to infectious diseases, but also closely related to non-communicable diseases. Microbiology and vaccinology involve basic medicine, clinical medicine, preventive medicine, bioengineering and other disciplines. Systematic and in-depth cross-discipline research in this field will make breakthroughs in disease prevention and control, and become a new growth aspect of the discipline.

Against such a backdrop, the department of microbiology and infection was established by the school of public health in December 2018 on the basis of thorough investigation of the development of public health and preventive medicine and demands of talent training, aiming to play a leading role in teaching and research, talent training and social services in the field. In order to further enhance the connotation of the discipline, the department has been renamed as the Department of Microbiology and Vaccinology since October 2025.