Game-based learning platform Immune Patrol increases children’s knowledge of infectious diseases and vaccination

6 March 2023

WHO has launched a pilot introduction of the game-based learning platform Immune Patrol in Armenia to educate 10- to 12-year-old students about infectious diseases, the immune system, outbreaks and vaccines.

The launch involved close cooperation with the Armenian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and financial support from the European Union and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. WHO/Europe developed Immune Patrol with support from Antwerp University in Belgium and the University of Aarhus in Denmark.

“My daughter took part in the Immune Patrol pilot introduction, and she was very excited when telling us about what she learned about infectious diseases and vaccines,” says parent Ms Anna Petrosyan. “She was especially impressed by the story of the smallpox vaccine, which was the first vaccine to be developed against a contagious disease. I am happy my child had a learning opportunity like this, and I would like these kinds of informative programmes to continue.”

WHO

The online learning platform combines digital games with physical classroom activities and simulations to showcase how diseases are transmitted, how outbreaks occur and how vaccines work.

It also helps students to think critically, assess the trustworthiness of online sources, and build resilience to misinformation about vaccines and other health topics.

WHO

“Education makes a difference in health,” says Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative in Armenia.

“Evidence shows that children with better health education become healthier adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has further reminded us why health literacy is crucial, especially in the digitalized world, where everyone, including children, is vulnerable to the risk of misinformation.”

WHO

“Armenia is the first country where the Immune Patrol platform has been introduced as a pilot test for the whole country and is being evaluated.

Games are powerful learning tools, and Immune Patrol is a great example of how diverse learning experiences can make it easier to learn about complicated, multifaceted topics,” explains Dr Andreas Lieberoth, Associate Professor at Aarhus University. Dr Lieberoth provided expert knowledge on the development of the various tasks for the Immune Patrol platform, and also developed the evaluation tool.

WHO

To date, the Immune Patrol platform has been piloted and evaluated in 5 schools in Armenia, with a perspective of full implementation in the country’s educational system in the future.

WHO

“As a teacher and a mother of 2, I highly value the importance of health education.

...It is important for children to understand and apply health information that will lead to healthy behaviours,” says Ms Syuzan Marutyan, a teacher in one of the schools.

WHO

Dr Lyudmila Niazyan, National Professional Officer for Immunization at the WHO Country Office in Armenia

Dr Lyudmila Niazyan, National Professional Officer for Immunization at the WHO Country Office in Armenia, highlights the importance of strengthened cooperation with the education sector, in accordance with the strategic priorities of the European Immunization Agenda 2030.

“Immunization is the foundation of the primary health-care system, and a vital part of the human right to the highest attainable standard of health. It is our hope that initiatives like Immune Patrol will contribute to empowering the new generations, who will make evidence-informed decisions for a healthier life.”

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