Researchers in Denmark use VR game for more vaccinations

In a game, the Virtual Learning Lab at the University of Copenhagen models a situation in which one has to manoeuvre through a virus-infected crowd in a public space. The experiment took place over a weekend in a large park at the beginning of June.

With the help of Google's video glasses, the test persons were supposed to put themselves in the role of an elderly person crossing a square. In doing so, they had to avoid passers-by dressed in red. According to the instructions, these were infected with the corona virus, while vaccinated persons were dressed in blue.

One of the participants, Adam, said he really enjoyed the experiment. "It felt like being there," he said. One of the researchers, Professor of Psychology at the University of Copenhagen, Robert Bohm, said that the experiment was intended to "communicate the social benefits of vaccination" and suggested that such experiments could also be conducted in doctors' surgeries.

Bohm also pointed to an earlier online study. "We know from similar studies that after such a virtual reality experience, people's willingness to vaccinate increases," he commented. This has also already been observed with Covid-19, Bohm added.