The cartoon "Leo and Giulia" explains vaccines to children

The public engagement project dedicated to children is back, thanks to the collaboration with the University of Pavia and the support of the Italian Ministry of University and Research

After the success of the first episode, released in 2020, the popular science cartoon "Leo and Giulia: us just like you!" is back. If the goal of the first episode of the saga was to make primary school children understand the scientific rationale of containment measures, including lock-downs and school closures, in this second chapter the two young protagonists discover together how vaccines work and what is meant by “herd immunity”.

At a time when vaccinations in the 5-11 age group in Italy are slowing down, and with a coverage of just 37%, the new episode of the cartoon has a key mission: to get children involved and aware of the role they can play in containing Covid-19. In fact, children contribute greatly to the circulation of the virus and to its spread in all other age groups.

The project, born from an idea of ​​Anna Odone - full professor of Hygiene at the University of Pavia and Member of the Italian Health Council - was funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, and was produced by the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and the University of Pavia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Italian National Institute of Health.

Within the scientific committee of the project there are Franco Locatelli, President of the Italian Health Council, Silvio Brusaferro, President of the Italian National Institute of Health and Gianni Rezza, Director of Prevention program of the Italian Ministry of Health, as well as UniSR professors Roberto Burioni, Carlo Signorelli, Antonella Castagna and Gianvito Martino.

I consider health education a fundamental pillar of public health and I am convinced that addressing children directly and explaining them the science behind public health measures is of extreme importance.

- says Anna Odone.

In addition to recognizing the right to information for children, we can provide them with the cognitive tools necessary to play an active role in controlling the pandemic and promoting their family’s health, and, more generally, to become informed and aware citizens.

The video, produced by Maga Animation Studio, is freely available on YouTube:

The initiative among the Public Engagement activities to which UniSR has devoted itself for years, with the aim to promoting a culture of health and prevention in society, through the opportunities of involvement and mutual learning between scientists and the public.

The English edition was realized with the support of the European Commission, Fulbright Program, The Institute of International Education e The European Public Health Association.