Mobile-based game designed to fight misinformation around climate change, and now vaccines
The ‘Cranky Uncle’ game – a mobile/web game designed to fight misinformation on climate change – has been adapted into the ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game for use in East African countries.
Melbourne academic Dr John Cook developed the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game to incentivise players to build resilience against misinformation.
The game relies on inoculation theory as a solution to misinformation. In the game, the cranky uncle character teaches the player techniques of science denial (e.g. fake experts and logical fallacies). The theory is that exposure to a weakened form of misinformation can develop cognitive immunity.
The new ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game was co-designed through workshops held in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and informed by a review of studies on vaccine misinformation.
Though it is climate-focused, the original version of the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game provides helpful tools for fighting misinformation in general.
Learn about and play the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game
Read the paper published in the Journal of Health Communication Co-Designing a mobile-based game to improve misinformation resistance and vaccine knowledge in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda
Save the date for MVEC's Immunisation Skills Workshop
Save the date – MVEC will be holding an Immunisation Skills Workshop in Melbourne on Friday 15 March 2024.
More details about the workshop, including information about the program and tickets, will be made available closer to the event. Registration will open in early February.
Read more at Immunisation Skills Workshop – Friday 15 March 2024
Updated immunisation reference page: Injection site nodules
Injection site nodules (ISNs) are a rare adverse event following immunisation (AEFI). Nodules can occur following the administration of an injected vaccine. They are most often asymptomatic, but may be intermittently tender, itchy, or show overlying skin changes. They generally resolve on their own without intervention.
We have recently updated our ISN reference page. The updated page includes information on ISN diagnosis, possible causes, and treatment, and recommendations for future vaccine doses.
एमवीईसी: इंजेक्शन साइट नोड्यूल
Updated immunisation reference page: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples immunisation recommendations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or First Nations Australians, have higher rates of some vaccine‑preventable diseases compared to non‑Indigenous Australians. First Nations Australians are prioritised for additional protection through the funding of additional vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
We have recently updated our reference page on immunisation recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The newly updated page includes:
- a comprehensive table of funded vaccines available in each state
- information about vaccine‑preventable diseases targeted through funding
- information about vaccine access
- links to helpful resources.
एमवीईसी: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people immunisation recommendations
अद्यतित टीकाकरण संदर्भ पृष्ठ: इम्यूनोसप्रेशन और टीके
Individuals who are immunocompromised have a weakened immune system, resulting in a decreased ability to fight infections. Immunocompromise can be caused by many different factors such as certain medical conditions, being a transplant recipient, advancing age or taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Vaccination is particularly important for those who are immunocompromised, due to the increased risk of developing severe disease if exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases.
We have recently reviewed our reference page on immunocompromise/immunosuppression and vaccines. The page includes up-to-date information on vaccine timing, contraindicated vaccines and safe alternatives, what to do in the event of inadvertent administration of a live-attenuated vaccines, and advice for household contacts of immunocompromised people.
एमवीईसी: इम्यूनोसप्रेशन और टीके
Updated immunisation reference page: Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions (ISRs) are a common localised side effect that can occur following the administration of any injected vaccine.
We have recently updated our injection site reaction reference page to provide more information on the diagnosis of ISRs, to detail factors associated with a higher incidence of ISRs and to clarify the proper treatment of ISRs.
ISRs resolve on their own without intervention. They can be managed at home with symptomatic relief. ISRs are not a sign of allergy or local infection. Therefore antihistamines, steroids or antibiotics are not required.
एमवीईसी: इंजेक्शन साइट प्रतिक्रियाएं
New immunisation reference page: DiGeorge syndrome and vaccines
DiGeorge syndrome (also known as velocardiofacial syndrome or 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) is a genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 2,000 newborns.
The implications of DiGeorge syndrome vary between individuals. It is commonly associated with immunocompromise, making vaccination particularly important to provide protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
MVEC has recently published a new immunisation reference page on DiGeorge syndrome, including a new guidance developed as a collaboration between MVEC, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
MVEC: DiGeorge syndrome and vaccines
New immunisation reference page: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations
Immunosuppressive therapies play an important role in the treatment of many medical conditions.
MVEC has recently published a new immunisation reference page on immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations. The page includes a new guidance, developed as a collaboration between MVEC, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
MVEC: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations
Translated versions of immunisation reference pages: Influenza and Tuberculosis (BCG)
We are excited to let you know that we are now offering translated versions of a couple of our most popular immunisation reference pages.
Our और tuberculosis/BCG reference pages are both available to read in Hindi, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.
These two reference pages include information on disease symptoms, epidemiology, transmission and vaccine recommendations.
The pages are available via the banner on our homepage, links at the top of our A–Z reference page or by selecting the preferred language from a drop-down box on the reference page itself (एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा और MVEC: Tuberculosis/BCG).
The MVEC newsletter returns in 2024
MVEC’s fortnightly newsletter will return from the beginning of February 2024.
Stay tuned in case of any updates regarding our next टीकाकरण कौशल कार्यशाला. The workshop will be held early next year. If there are any updates between now and February, subscribers will receive an update via email.
You can also stay tuned via our Instagram page.