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New comic exploring vaccine narratives launched
23 November 2022
A collaborative project between UCL, Vocal, the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, ‘One for All, All for One’ is a comic and film, helping people have conversations about vaccines, community protection and working together in research.
The comic - written by Nabeel Petersen, illustrated by Cape Town artist Mohamed Hassan and co-created with communities in Malawi – is published in English and Chichewa and will be shared with the public, in clinics, with researchers with governments and public health authorities in Malawi, South Africa, UK and beyond with the aim that they will inform and create further conversations around vaccines and immunisation.
'One for All, All for One' project co-director Professor Rob Heyderman (UCL Division of Infection and Immunity) said: “Everywhere in the world and particularly in vulnerable communities, vaccines are an essential tool in our fight against life-threatening infections. By generating a dialogue and empowering communities around community protection the 'One for All, All for One' comic book and animations will allow us to work towards mutual trust in vaccine research and communication”.
"Vaccines are one of the most effective tools that we have to protect people against life-threatening infections" said Professor Bella Starling, 'One for All, All for One' project co-director (Manchester NHS Trust). "Yet vaccine hesitancy is on the increase worldwide, prompted by misinformation, poor access and infrastructure, suboptimal communication from clinicians, public health and policy makers, and lack of awareness. For me, the co-creation of the comic's narrative (with scientists, healthcare workers, community and faith leaders, young mothers, young adults and artists) is one of the most important aspects of this project."
'One for All, All for One' is a four-chapter comic which follows young siblings, Tadala and Mayeso, as they navigate myths and misinformation, see the influence of opinion makers and social media, learn how to come to their own conclusions, and see the long-term impact of their involvement in community research projects.
“Malawi has an international reputation as an early adopter of vaccines with high uptake. Seeing vaccine confidence being eroded globally, we have looked to one of the poorest countries in the world to help us redress this balance. Based on the idea that vaccines protect whole communities as well as individuals, we have worked with citizens, young people, community and faith leaders, health professionals, scientists, artists and policymakers, in Malawi, South Africa and the UK to co-create the 'One for All, All for One' comic and films. They are already getting people talking and thinking about how to work together to ensure that vaccines continue to be valued as one of our most effective public health tools,” said Professor Heyderman
View the 'One for All and All for One' comic online (pdf)