QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 99.1


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted), Vijay B. Samant, the Chief Executive Officer of Vical Incorporated (the "Company"), and Martha J. Demski, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his or her knowledge:

1.
The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 99.1 (the "Periodic Report"), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company at the end of the period covered by the Periodic Report and results of operations of the Company for the period covered by the Periodic Report.

Dated: August 13, 2002

/s/  VIJAY B. SAMANT      
Vijay B. Samant
Chief Executive Officer
      /s/  MARTHA J. DEMSKI      
Martha J. Demski
Chief Financial Officer



QuickLinks

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002