Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine at the Science and Industry Museum

Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor

Visit now

Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine

19 July-17 November 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Visitor-in-Injecting-Hope-looking-at-2020-The-Sphere-that-change-the-world-by-Angela-Palmer-c-Science-Museum-Group
Image courtesy of Angela Palmer/ Science Museum Group.
Book now

Vaccines are essential to public health and this was never clearer than during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Science and Industry Museum is celebrating medical innovation and fast-acting scientists in Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, a free exhibition examining the global and local response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Visitors to the show can explore the power of science, innovation and collaboration through the global effort of scientists to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge and develop the vaccine as quickly as possible. Equally as inspirational, Injecting Hope also shines a light on the local communities in Manchester – their experience and response to the pandemic. Their stories are enhanced by the objects on display, such as portraits of healthcare workers from Ancoats-based Urban Village Medical Practice who helped to administer the vaccine to people with no fixed address.

Visitors looking at vaccine chair in Injecting Hope at Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group

Viewers will also find the vial of the first COVID-19 vaccine to be administered worldwide, one of the 750 flat-pack beds used inside the North West’s Nightingale Hospital and the Virustatic Shield – a washable and reusable face mask developed by Paul Hope and the University of Manchester.

The display includes two artistic interpretations of the coronavirus which are a definite highlight of the show. Angela Palmer’s 2020 The Sphere That Changed The World consists of sheets of glass with engraved lines which, when layered, create a 3-dimensional shape of the virus. Junko Mori’s Hope In Balance is a metal sculpture showing the virus being surrounded by antibodies. Their intricate creations take the structure of the virus as a visual starting point to create fascinating responses.

Visitor looking at display in Injecting Hope at Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group

While the pandemic is not a time to look back on with nostalgia, the effort to create the vaccine and the speed at which it happened can only be admired. Injecting Hope celebrates the hard work and science behind it, as well as the community spirit that shines in such times of crisis.

Do check out our top picks happening over the next few months – whether you’re interested in developments in science, gaming or Manchester’s industrial history, there’s always something to experience at the Science and Industry Museum.

Where to go near Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine at the Science and Industry Museum

Manchester
Restaurant
Teppanyaki Chinatown

A Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the centre of Chinatown. The focus is on high-quality food with a minimum of theatrics. It doesn’t disappoint.

Manchester
Music venue
Castlefield Bowl

The Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor events pavilion in the inner city conservation area of Castlefield in Manchester. The 8000-capacity arena is often used for food festivals and music events.

Great John Street Hotel in Spinningfields in Manchester.
Castlefield
Hotel
Great John Street Hotel

A converted Victorian school house nestled on the edge of Spinningfields, the Great John Street Hotel has a relaxed and decadent atmosphere.

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Cask

Cask is a well-loved pub on Liverpool Road in Manchester. It has an excellent selection of continental beers and a cosy beer garden.

Castlefield
Event venue
Castlefield Viaduct

Launching in summer 2022, the National Trust and Twelve Architects and Masterplanners will be bringing a new lease of life to Castlefield Viaduct.

Campfield Open Day-3
Castlefield
Event venue
Campfield Market Hall

Having undergone years of transformative and restorative work, the complex will now be known as Campfield Mega Campus, Manchester’s most ambitious creative-tech destination.

Saul Hay Gallery
Manchester
Gallery
Saul Hay Gallery

Saul Hay Gallery, located one of Castlefield’s Victorian red brick buildings, is one of Manchester’s most important commercial galleries.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fenix

Modern Greek Mediterranean cuisine from the team behind Tattu.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

Castlefield
Theatre
Versa Manchester Studios

Formerly the Old Granada Studios, VERSA Manchester Studios is evolving into a dynamic Studio Campus with TV, Film, Motion Capture and VR / AR Studios alongside a glamorous new Soho House.

What's on: Exhibitions

Commons at SODA
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Commons at SODA

Commons is a programme of openly accessible, interactive events led by digital artists, showcasing the nuances of our interactions with tech.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.