Common Stock Reserved For Issuance - Common Stock Reserved For Potential Future Issuances (Details) - shares	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares of common stock reserved	3,345,591	3,350,046
Shares Underlying Outstanding Stock Options
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares of common stock reserved	588,737	405,683
Shares Available For Future Stock Option Grants
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares of common stock reserved	239,946	423,000
Exchange of Vaccinex Products, LP Units
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares of common stock reserved	1,198,111	1,202,566
Conversion of VX3 Units
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Total shares of common stock reserved	1,318,797	1,318,797