2020 Theme: Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation
Since 2005, IUIS and EFIS have been working together to involve all Regional and National Societies in a global effort to promote the benefits of immunology research during the International Day of Immunology (DoI) taking place every year on April 29. READ MORE
This year again, Immunological Societies and Federations were invited to participate in the day and to share material on their DoI campaign (e.g. posters, films, video, social media, email or regular mail).
Argentinean Society of Immunology (SAI)
The Argentine lockdown to contain the spread of SARS-Cov-2 did not prevent the SAI from celebrating the Day of Immunology. Among the virtual activities that the society carried out were two webinars in Spanish and distributed to all Latin American countries. The first, “Immunity and vaccines”, included presentations about basics notions of the immune response to vaccines and adjuvants. A second event was held on the “Replicative cycle of SARS-Cov-2 and vaccines in development for COVID-19“.
Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc. (ASI)
This year, the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc. celebrated the DoI online, with stimulating public forums for participants to learn about the immune system from the comfort of their home. For the parents who are home schooling, it was a great opportunity for school students to learn about immunology and world-class research performed in Australia and New Zealand.
The British Society for Immunology (BSI)
The British Society for Immunology not only celebrated the DoI, but the whole World Immunisation Week.(24 – 30 April 2020). Their campaign named Celebrate Vaccines champions the critical role of vaccination and vaccine research in advancing global health. Its goal is to use the expert voice of the immunology community to strengthen public understanding of vaccines, supporting everyone to make informed decisions about vaccination.
The Italian Society of Immunology (SIICA)
Scientists from the Italian Society of Immunology (SIICA) discussed how the immune system is involved in the fight against infections and in chronic diseases in a series of video available on the official SIICA YouTube channel
The Spanish Society for Immunology (SEI)
The Spanish Society for Immunology celebrated the Day of Immunology focusing on three pillars: debunking (immune) fake news, the immunity of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and autoimmunity. They produced a collection of infographics, webinars, and even comics to help a wide audience understand a variety of concepts about our immune system. The goal was to reach all Spanish-speaking countries (over 20 worldwide), by taking advantage of social medial and other online platforms: “It was amazing to celebrate this day with all of our followers around the world!“.
Society of Clinical and Biological Immunology of Côte d’Ivoire (SICB-CI)
The Society of Clinical and Biological Immunology of Côte d’Ivoire released a video for their French-speaking supporters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crYNzfA18v8&feature=youtu.be