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Though health officials have maintained that risk remains extremely low in Canada, Roe recognizes that there is public concern and wants to alleviate some panic.

“One of the reasons we did this new lesson on coronavirus is that there’s a lot of negative stuff out there,” he said. “But this is something we’re trying to do to calm people down a little bit by educating kids, because then kids can go home and talk to their parents about some of the facts and misinformation that’s out there.”

Roe was in Calgary on Friday for the Palliser District teachers’ convention, pitching the Kids Boost Immunity program to attendees. Educators have been receptive to the program, he says, especially one initiative, in which students who successfully demonstrate their knowledge in online quizzes can “win” vaccinations for children in developing countries. The vaccines are for tetanus, polio and measles and are purchased through UNICEF Canada, Roe says.

“The crux of the program is global citizenship,” he said. “That’s really the prime motivator for engagement for us. We think the lessons are quite good, but it’s kids wanting to help other kids that’s the fuel of the program.

“Kids are really eager to make a difference in the world.”

So far this school year, the program has led to the purchase of more than 30,000 vaccines.

The program is funded by a combination of private and public entities, including the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Pacific Blue Cross.

jherring@postmedia.com

Twitter: @jasonfherring