Vasily G. Akimkin (born on 3 July 1965) – the corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Director of Scientific Research Institute for Disinfection of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).
V.G. Akimkin is a well-known Russian epidemiologist, whose areas of scientific expertise include: healthcare-associated infections (HCAI), infectious diseases in organized groups, improving disinfection and sterilization techniques in healthcare facilities, immunoprophylaxis, and non-specific preventive measures against pathogens with different modes of transmission.
For the first time in the world practice, V.G. Akimkin has developed the method for the use of bacteriophages as biological disinfectants in the epidemic foci of different nosological entities of HCAI and at the healthcare facilities of different profiles. The methods proved to be highly effective and are widely implemented in Russia.
Akimkin has demonstrated the immunological and epidemiological effectiveness regarding immunization of medical personnel and hematological patients with the domestic hepatitis B vaccine. He also has modified the vaccine’s administration schemes which are protected by a patent of the Russian Federation.
Has developed and implemented the scientific principles for the protection of troops and the common population from the contemporary epidemiological threats; the conceptual scientific foundations of the sanitary and epidemiological service in the light of the 2008 reform of the Russian Armed Forces. Has enhanced the immunization schedule and disinfection strategies, which have resulted in a significantly decreased incidence of viral hepatitis A, typhoid fever, influenza, community-acquired pneumonia, and chickenpox in military personnel.
V.G. Akimkin has scientifically substantiated, developed and put into practice an epidemiologically safe system of medical waste management in Russia and innovative domestic technologies for air disinfection in healthcare facilities. Along with the team of scientists, Akimkin has developed the National Concept for the Prevention of Infections Associated with the Provision of Medical Assistance (2011).
V.G. Akimkin is the author of more than 620 published scientific papers (465 of which have been written in co-authorship), including 6 monographs, 13 manuals, reference books and practical manuals, 243 major journal articles (187 of which have been written co-authorship), 2 patents of the Russian Federation for inventions, more than 45 sanitary and epidemiological rules, guidelines and other guidance documents. Since 2011 148 scientific papers (136 of which have been written in co-authorship) have been published, including 2 monographs, 3 practical manuals, 15 sanitary and epidemiological rules and guidelines.
V.G. Akimkin has developed his scientific school of thought, his Hirsch index being 12. Four doctoral and 17 PhD theses were completed under his supervision. Three doctoral and 3 PhD theses have been guided since 2011.
V.G. Akimkin is Head of the All-Russian Scientific and Methodological Center for Non-Specific Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Monitoring Disinfection Resistance in Biological Agents; Scientific Secretary of the Expert Council of the Higher Attestation Commission on Medical and Preventive Sciences by Russian Ministry of Science and Education; Member of the Bureau of the Commission on State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulation of Rospotrebnadzor; Chair of the Presidium of the All-Russian Research and Practical Society of Microbiologists, Epidemiologists and Parasitologists; Dissertation Council Member of the Central Epidemiology Research Institute of Rospotrebnadzor and the Gamaleya Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia; editorial board member of 9 leading Russian scientific journals included in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Russian Federation: he is a Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases; Editor-in-Chief of the Epidemiology and Vaccine Prevention, Therapeutic Archive, Medical Alphabet; Problems of Virology, Disinfection, Hygiene and Sanitation, Sterilization and Hospital Infections.
V.G. Akimkin has built scientific cooperation between Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kemerovo, and Perm epidemiological schools of thought. He has coordinated joint research in epidemiology and disinfection, involving scientists from the leading Research institutes of the Department of Biological Sciences of RAS.
Akimkin has also established scientific collaboration with the leading international scientific organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Federation for Hospital Sterilization Sciences, the Medical University of Vienna, the Austrian Society for Infection Control, the European Committee for Standardization, the British Institute of Standards, Medical Devices Expert Group, etc.
V.G. Akimkin is an organizer of the major scientific forums in Russia. He is also an Honored Physician of the Russian Federation, Best Sanitary Physician of the Year (2005), National award winner for the contribution to the development of medicine by members of the fundamental science and non-medical professions (2011).
Has been awarded the Order of Honor (2006), medals, diplomas and has received the thanks from the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, the Head of the Rospotrebnadzor, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation, ministries and the Health Departments of the Federal subjects of Russia.
E-mail: vgakimkin@yandex.ru
