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A free game launched today allows players to role-play the deployment of a virtual vaccine to help to halt the global spread of a viral pandemic.

Screen shot from the Vaccination Game, including text explaining the virtual vaccine © Hal Drakesmith

The Vaccination Game, created by researchers at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), in collaboration with Goldsmiths, University of London, challenges players to figure out how they can deploy limited doses of the vaccine to best control a disease modelled on influenza.

The idea of developing a game was conceived by Professor Hal Drakesmith and colleagues who are part of a research network focussing on immunising babies and mothers to fight infections in low and middle-income countries. Following funding from, and in collaboration with the IMPRINT research network, they were able to begin development of the game.

The full story is available on the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine website

The story is also featured on the University of Oxford website

Play the Vaccination Game