Congratulations to Guha, Sila, and Julia, winners of VaxHunt: The Quest to Prevent the Next Pandemic,  an online game launched by the Influenzer Initiative at #ESWI2020.

This interactive game engages players in one of science’s greatest challenges- universal vaccine protection against influenza.

If you missed your chance to play, fear not, a new in-person VaxHunt is in the works for #ESWI2021, if COVID-19 safety provisions permit. Since its debut in December, the virtual VaxHunt has also been globally launched with another round of prizes for high scorers:

1^st place: $500 USD

2^nd place: $250 USD

3^rd place: $100 USD

The game features trivia and puzzle challenges where players explore:

• The threat and history of influenza pandemics
• Why we need a universal influenza vaccine (UIV)
• The challenges of developing next-generation influenza vaccines
• The innovative, transdisciplinary approaches that may unearth the UIV mystery and deliver on its potential

Our experience with COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to the ever-present threat an influenza pandemic poses to society. To prevent another pandemic, a universal influenza vaccine is imperative. Now is the time to fuel next-generation vaccine innovation by stimulating researchers, tech experts, thought leaders and investors to catalyze novel approaches and technologies. This challenging mission will require scientific breakthroughs, disruptive policy, and a new generation of bold flu fighters to accelerate critical vaccine research and development.

We hope you will share VaxHunt with your networks and make this important quest go viral!

*Players can also enjoy VaxHunt with the confidence that each module has been thoroughly reviewed by STEM.org Educational Research™(SER) and awarded its STEM.org Authenticated™ trustmark.

Copywrite: Sabin Vaccine Institute