Larisa Rudenko is Head of the Virology Department at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia. She worked with Academician Smorodintsev and has been responsible for the development and clinical trials of the live-attenuated influenza vaccines in Russia. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in live-attenuated influenza vaccines and as such has worked closely over the past 20 years with scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA in developing effective influenza prophylaxis programs for use in children and the elderly. She has published more than 225 scientific papers and 42 patents. Under her supervision, 11 PhD and 2 DSc theses have been prepared. In 1999, her contribution to medical science was recognized with the award of the title of Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation. She is currently leading the WHO and PATH programs, developing a new pandemic LAIV for developing countries.