The SCICONX Journal of Vaccine and Immunology is committed to disseminating high-quality scientific research on vaccines and immunology to the global research community. To support open access publication, ensure rigorous editorial and peer review processes, and maintain long-term digital preservation and discoverability, the journal applies Article Processing Charges (APCs) to accepted manuscripts. This page outlines the purpose of APCs, what they cover, and how they are applied.

What Are Article Processing Charges (APCs)?

Article Processing Charges (APCs) are fees paid by authors (or their institutions/funders) to support the costs associated with publishing a peer-reviewed open access article. Unlike subscription journals, where readers or institutions pay to access content, open access journals make research freely available to anyone and rely on APCs to sustain publishing operations.

Why Does JVI Charge APCs?

The APC supports essential publishing services, including but not limited to:

• Editorial management: Coordination of manuscript handling and unbiased decision-making.
• Rigorous peer review: Matching submitted manuscripts with expert reviewers and managing review feedback.
• Professional production: Copyediting, typesetting, layout, and formatting for publication.
• Digital publication and archiving: Indexing support, and permanent preservation.
• Open access dissemination: Free access for readers worldwide, fostering broad visibility and impact.
• Platform maintenance: Secure submission and review systems, website hosting, and long-term accessibility.

APC for SCICONX Journal of Vaccine and Immunology

This journal charges a transparent, standardized APC for all accepted articles. This fee is due after a manuscript has passed peer review and has been formally accepted for publication.

APC Structure

• The Standard article processing charges are 1229 Euros and these APCs are exclusive of any applicable taxes.

Note: Charges apply only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication following peer review.

What the APC Covers

The charge covers:

• Editorial evaluation and peer review coordination
• Professional production and formatting
• Online hosting and archiving
• Indexing in supported indexing services
• Open access distribution under a Creative Commons license

The APC does not guarantee publication. It applies only once a manuscript has been accepted following peer review and editorial approval.

Invoicing and Payment Process

Once a manuscript is accepted:

1. The corresponding author receives an APC invoice from the editorial office.
2. Payment instructions and deadlines will be clearly stated.
3. Publication processing begins only after payment (or waiver confirmation) is received.

Payments are accepted through secure channels as specified by the journal and can often be processed by authors, institutions, or research funders.

APC Refund Policy

Refunds may be considered in specific situations, such as:

• Author withdrawal before editorial evaluation
• Publisher-caused processing errors
• Duplicate publication processing

Refunds are not provided for:

• Manuscripts rejected after peer review
• Voluntary withdrawal after peer review has begun
• Partial editorial handling

All refund decisions are made at the journal’s discretion following standard publishing practices.

Withdrawal Policy

SCICONX Publishing respects authors’ rights to request manuscript withdrawal but emphasizes that such requests should be made responsibly due to the significant time and resources invested by editors, reviewers, and the publishing team. Authors may withdraw their manuscript without penalty before peer review begins. During peer review, a valid reason—such as ethical concerns, duplication, or submission errors—must be provided. Post-acceptance withdrawal is strongly discouraged, and submitting the same manuscript to another journal without proper justification is considered unethical and may be reported. To offset editorial and processing efforts, a withdrawal fee equivalent to 40% of the Article Processing Charge (APC) may be applied for requests made after peer review starts. The Editorial Office retains the right to approve or decline withdrawal requests, particularly in cases of suspected misconduct or duplication. SCICONX encourages authors to thoroughly evaluate the journal’s scope and policies prior to submission to minimize unnecessary withdrawal requests, ensuring a smooth and ethical publishing process.

For APC-related queries or special requests, please contact us at: editorialoffice@sciconx.org

APC and Research Funding Compliance

Many research funders require or support open access publishing and may allow the use of grant funds to cover APCs. Authors are encouraged to:

• Confirm APC policies with their funding agencies
• Include APC support in grant proposals when possible

The journal can issue documentation to support funder reporting upon request.

Commitment to Transparency

The Journal maintains APC information in a clear, transparent manner so authors can plan submissions with confidence. The journal reserves the right to update APC amounts or policies, with changes posted on the official website.