Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Deficit	Total Vaccinex,Inc. Stockholders' Deficit	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ (2,274)	$ 1	$ 222,403	$ (11)	$ (248,630)	$ (26,237)	$ 23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019		14,887,999		852
Issuance of Common Shares	7,476	$ 1	7,475			7,476
Issuance of Common Shares, Shares		1,468,563
Stock-based compensation	204		204			204
Stock-based compensation, Shares		20,000
Exercise of stock options	4		4			4
Exercise of stock options, Shares		1,025
Net loss	(7,149)				(7,149)	(7,149)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	(1,739)	$ 2	230,086	$ (11)	(255,779)	(25,702)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2020		16,377,587		852
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	(2,274)	$ 1	222,403	$ (11)	(248,630)	(26,237)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019		14,887,999		852
Net loss	(22,406)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,765	$ 3	250,843	$ (11)	(271,033)	(20,198)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2020		22,380,351		852
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	(1,739)	$ 2	230,086	$ (11)	(255,779)	(25,702)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2020		16,377,587		852
Issuance of Common Shares	2,296		2,296			2,296
Issuance of Common Shares, Shares		642,112
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares, Shares		4,125
Stock-based compensation	366		366			366
Net loss	(6,501)				(6,501)	(6,501)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	(5,578)	$ 2	232,748	$ (11)	(262,280)	(29,541)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2020		17,023,824		852
Issuance of Common Shares	18,649	$ 1	18,648			18,649
Issuance of Common Shares, Shares		5,339,329
Common shares issuance costs	(659)		(659)			(659)
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares, Shares		14,440
Stock-based compensation	91		91			91
Exercise of stock options	15		15			15
Exercise of stock options, Shares		2,758
Net loss	(8,754)				(8,754)	(8,754)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,765	$ 3	250,843	$ (11)	(271,033)	(20,198)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2020		22,380,351		852
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	(2,612)	$ 3	250,914	$ (11)	(277,481)	(26,575)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020		22,388,027		852
Issuance of Common Shares	32,848		32,848			32,848
Issuance of Common Shares, Shares		5,937,900
Common shares issuance costs	(985)		(985)			(985)
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares			2,000			2,000	(2,000)
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares, Shares		109,900
Stock-based compensation	104		104			104
Shares issued for compensation, Shares		9,979
Net loss	(6,574)				(6,574)	(6,574)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	22,781	$ 3	284,881	$ (11)	(284,055)	818	21,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2021		28,445,806		852
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	(2,612)	$ 3	250,914	$ (11)	(277,481)	(26,575)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020		22,388,027		852
Net loss	(17,749)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	11,890	$ 3	307,128	$ (11)	(295,230)	11,890
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2021		30,801,962		852
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	22,781	$ 3	284,881	$ (11)	(284,055)	818	21,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2021		28,445,806		852
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares			21,963			21,963	$ (21,963)
Exchange of Vaccinex Products LP Units/ partnership units for common shares, Shares		2,356,156
Stock-based compensation	128		128			128
Net loss	(5,969)				(5,969)	(5,969)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	16,940	$ 3	306,972	$ (11)	(290,024)	16,940
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2021		30,801,962		852
Stock-based compensation	156		156			156
Net loss	(5,206)				(5,206)	(5,206)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 11,890	$ 3	$ 307,128	$ (11)	$ (295,230)	$ 11,890
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2021		30,801,962		852