An art project promoting vaccines in pregnancy was showcased in London last month.
Visitors of all ages interacted with the Clothed with Protection exhibition at the New Scientist Live festival. The event took place at ExCeL London in October.
Clothed with Protection is driving greater awareness that vaccines protect both mother and baby. Just as clothing protects us from the outside world, vaccinations create a layer of protection from infection.
The project is funded by the IMmunising PRegnant women and INfants neTwork (IMPRINT).
This exhibition was a public engagement activity as part of our Microbiology, Immunology and Infection theme.
Exploring vaccines through art
The event welcomed more than 26,000 visitors.
At the festival, IMPRINT displayed several outfits and the inspiration behind them. The team invited people to try on some of the clothes and draw their own designs.
Southampton’s Dr Chrissie Jones led the Clothed with Protection project. She worked in collaboration with artist Luke Jerram.
They commissioned ten fashion designers from Kampala, Uganda. The designers created clothing that highlights the importance of vaccination in pregnancy in Africa. The clothes were displayed in a fashion show and community event in Kampala.
The exhibition has since been shown across the UK and in Berlin. A short film about the project is available to watch here.
Inspiring conversations
Dr Jones was joined at the festival by Dr Mary Kyohere, who was part of the project’s first exhibitions in Uganda. They were accompanied by clinical midwives who deliver vaccines in pregnancy, research midwives involved in vaccine trials and medical students.
The team engaged with people of all ages over the course of three days. Visitors ranged from primary school children to older adults.
Dr Jones is an Associate Professor in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the University of Southampton and an Honorary Consultant at University Hospital Southampton. She is also co-director of IMPRINT. Dr Jones said:
“It was fantastic to reach such a broad audience at New Scientist Live.
“Visitors were captivated by the designers’ intricate work and the creativity woven into each piece. This opened the door to meaningful conversations about the science behind vaccines and their role in protecting mothers and babies.
“Through projects like Clothed with Protection, we hope to inspire greater awareness and support for ongoing research into vaccines in pregnancy.”
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