Fun Resource Sheds Light on Vaccines

The Royal College of Pathologists has launched ‘Viruses and Vaccines’ a fun and engaging myth-busting resource to stimulate discussion and improve understanding of how vaccines help in the prevention and spread of disease.

Launched as part of British Science Week (5-14 March) the resource is available as a free set of online activities for all ages, with participants being encouraged to be creative with colouring and origami, while hearing from pathologists about their vital work.

Developed by immunologists, virologists and microbiologists in collaboration with public engagement consultants, the resources have been created to be easy to access and use.

Dr Mike Osborn, President of The Royal College of Pathologists, said: ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS. The College and the wider healthcare community have a crucial role in building public confidence in vaccination. With a focus on COVID-19 vaccines and the role of pathology during the pandemic, Viruses and vaccines sets out to engage and inform, helping to dispel many common myths and misconceptions.’

Professor Will Irving, College Fellow and Professor of Virology, University of Nottingham, said:
‘Tackling over 20 life-threatening diseases, vaccines save millions of lives globally every year. Life-saving vaccines are the result of the painstaking research, commitment and hard work of pathologists and scientists from around the world, never more so than in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines. Viruses and vaccines tells the story of why and how vaccines are created and how they work to protect all of us from disease and ill health.’

Katherine Mathieson, Chief Executive, British Science Association, said:
`We recognise that many people have concerns and questions about the COVID vaccines and we welcome the work being done to respond to them by the Royal College of Pathologists and its members. ‘Viruses and Vaccines’ will be an enormously useful resource for communities, families, teachers, researchers and many others during British Science Week 2021 and beyond.’

Viruses and vaccines explores:

• The structure of viruses and how this enables them to transmit and replicate within and between human hosts.
• Transmission of viruses and how epidemics start.
• Human behaviours that can have an impact on rates of transmission.
• How pathologists study viruses and use this understanding to develop vaccines.
• Why vaccines are important and how they work.

Further information online