The objectives of the table-top game are to:
1) provoke discussions on key gaps in preparing for or updating national pandemic influenza deployment plans;
2) enable conversations on best practices on in-country pandemic influenza vaccine deployment governance and operations;
3) better understand country training needs and barriers to future participation in simulation exercises.
The simulation of an emergency enables practicing and developing skills in an informal, stress-free environment that provokes discussion guided by a facilitator around exercise scenario or narratives. It involves experts on pandemic vaccine response who give inputs in knowledge exchange among teams. In many respects, the PIPDeploy game is similar to a problem-solving or brainstorming session. As a training tool, it allows participants to learn and practice emergency response procedures in a safe and controlled environment. As a quality assurance tool, players test and evaluate emergency systems, policies, plans and procedures.
Gamification is a powerful tool to learn and apply new knowledge in a real world-like. This is very complementary to instructor-led training!