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Research has found that vaccine-promoting messages can elicit state reactance (i.e., negative emotions in response to a perceived threat to behavioral freedom), especially among individuals with high trait reactance (i.e., proneness to experiencing reactance). This can result in a lower willingness to accept vaccines. We investigated whether inoculation against reactance – that is, forewarning individuals about potentially experiencing reactance – can reduce the effects of trait reactance on vaccination willingness. Participants (N = 710) recruited through Facebook were randomly allocated to be either inoculated or not. They were then shown a message promoting a fictitious vaccine, which included either a low, medium, or high threat to freedom. Contrary to research on other health topics, inoculation was ineffective at reducing state reactance toward the vaccination message. Inoculation also did not mitigate the effects of trait reactance on vaccination willingness, and was even counterproductive in some cases. High-reactant individuals were less willing to get vaccinated than low-reactant ones, especially at high freedom threat. Conversely, high freedom threat resulted in increased vaccination willingness among low-reactant individuals. Further research is needed to understand why inoculation against reactance produces different results with vaccination, and to develop communication strategies that mitigate reactance to vaccination campaigns without compromising the positive effects of vaccine recommendations for low-reactant individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative research approach that engages academic researchers and community stakeholders as equal partners in all research steps to address community concerns and achieve health equity. The CBPR approach has been widely used in vaccination promotion programmes. However, the elements and steps of CBPR-based programmes varied among studies. The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize the elements and steps, and establish an implementation framework to guide the utilisation of CBPR approaches in vaccination promotion. Methods: This scoping review was performed in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework. A systematic search was conducted on a set of electronic databases and grey literature sources. The retrieved articles were screened according to the criteria of CBPR and vaccination promotion, and data were extracted and recorded on a calibrated and predefined form in terms of study characteristics and CBPR components. Two authors worked independently to complete literature search, study selection, and data extraction. A narrative summary was used in categorising characteristics, and the contents of the included studies were summarised through qualitative analysis. Results: A total of 8557 publications were initially screened, and 23 articles were finally included. According to the CBPR conceptual model, the elements in each CBPR component specifically for vaccination promotion included (1) the establishment of community–academic partnership (CAP)s, (2) community capacity building by partner training vaccination knowledge, research literacy, and service abilities and skills, (3) development and implementation of community-based intervention and (4) Outcome evaluation. A CAP was established between academic researchers or institutes and eight types of partners, including community service organisation–related non-government organisations (NGOs), health service institution–related NGOs, religious organisations, government agencies, educational institutions, media agencies, business agencies, and community representatives. The maintenance of CAP was achieved with four key strategies, namely, strengthening communication, forming management groups, sharing resources and information, and providing incentives. Twelve studies provided comprehensive insights into the strategies employed for intervention development, utilising either quantitative surveys, qualitative methods or a combination of both approaches. The contents of interventions included health service supports, health education activities, social marketing campaigns, community mobilisation, interactive discussions, vaccination reminders and incentives. As for outcome evaluation, vaccination rate and the effectiveness of interventions were assessed. A considerable increase was observed in 95.7% of the included studies (22/23), and the highest increase (92.9%) was attained after the intervention. An implementation framework was generated to summarise the elements and steps of CBPR approaches for vaccination promotion. Conclusions: This review summarised current evidence and generated an implementation framework to elucidate the elements and steps in the development and application of CBPR approaches in vaccination promotion. CBPR approaches are recommended for future vaccination promotion programmes, involving community stakeholders and research professionals, to ensure equitable access to vaccinations across diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is one of the most impactful public health interventions globally. To ensure equitable access to vaccines for all children, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 as a guiding framework for member states. The EPI has saved over 50 million lives in the WHO African Region over its 50-year history. Despite current progress, most countries in the WHO African Region are still not on track to achieve the targets of the Immunization Agenda 2030. Research has been identified as an important tool for enhancing immunization performance and it's included as part of the strategic priorities of the IA2030. During a recently concluded immunization programme managers' meeting of East and Southern African countries, held from 25 to 27 June 2024, a discussion was held on vaccine and immunization-related research. We provide insights into suggested research priorities by immunization managers for the WHO African Region. Dedicated national and regional research agendas for vaccine and immunization research may need to be strengthened. Additionally, most countries will need capacity building for developing national research priority agendas within their national immunization programmes, ensuring that the needs, concerns, and contextual issues of the population are considered. While most of the suggested research priorities focused primarily on potential implementation research, other topics included the impact of vaccination and vaccine safety. Overall, there is need for broader stakeholder consultations to ensure that research prioritization is comprehensive to inform all the programme pillars in immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite evidence-based recommendations for HPV vaccination, uptake among young adults is suboptimal. Limited research has explored factors that may influence HPV vaccination among young adults, as well as associated promotion and informational preferences in this group. This study aimed to examine factors associated with HPV vaccination among young adults and preferences for HPV vaccine information and promotion. Methodology: This study utilized a cross-sectional design to examine factors related to HPV vaccination among young adults on a university campus in Tennessee. Data were collected via an online survey administered to students, aged 18–26 years, from March–May 2023. Study measures included sociodemographic characteristics, health/healthcare-related factors, and perception-related measures. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 402 participants that completed the survey, 209 reported being vaccinated against HPV. In the adjusted model, variables associated with HPV vaccination were perceived risk (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.05, 1.20), perceived barriers (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.81), higher HPV knowledge (aOR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.33), and receipt of healthcare provider recommendations (aOR = 12.90; 95% CI: 7.08, 23.51). Conclusions: Study findings suggest that those who are vaccinated were more likely to report receiving healthcare provider recommendations, low perceived barriers, higher HPV knowledge and perceived risk. Future HPV vaccination promotion efforts for young adults may consider increasing HPV vaccine knowledge and awareness, addressing barriers, and strengthening provider recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (CDC, 2023). Although a vaccine for HPV exists, the vaccination rate in young adults is still staggeringly low. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use Narrative Engagement Theory (NET; Miller- Day & Hecht, 2013) to examine what HPV videos young adults find most engaging and persuasive. Participants were 992 college students from a large Southwestern University who watched ten HPV videos designed to inform young adults about HPV. After each video, participants responded to questions that assessed engagement and persuasiveness and were provided space to write as much as they liked to elaborate on their answers. The results suggest that certain videos may be more effective in persuading young adults to receive the HPV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the launch of the Covid-19 global vaccination campaign, postsecondary institutions have strongly promoted vaccination, often through mandates, and the academic literature has identified "vaccine uptake" among postsecondary students as a problem deserving monitoring, research, and intervention. However, with the admission that vaccines do not stop viral spread, that older-age and co-morbidities are major determinants of poor outcomes, and that many vaccine side effects disproportionately affect the young, it cannot be assumed that a risk-benefit analysis favors vaccinating postsecondary students. Drawing from critical policy studies, I appraise the literature on Covid-19 vaccine uptake in postsecondary education. I find that this literature reflects the "scientific consensus," hardly acknowledging contradictory medical evidence, ignoring coercive elements underlying "vaccine acceptance," and neglecting ethical tensions built into the very design of vaccination policies. I discuss potential explanations for my findings, and their implications for academia's role in society in the COVID-19 era and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Boster et al. (2012) superdiffuser model predicts that a health behavior change can be diffused through a social network by recruiting superdiffusers, a type of opinion leader who possesses 3 key traits, to promote that health behavior change. Yet, that model does not specify how to recruit opinion leaders for applied contexts. This pair of studies sought to demonstrate that the self-schema matching model of persuasion can be used to design recruitment messages for a potential campaign. Study 1 (N = 342) used an online survey to identify the self-schema of health mavens, one of the three superdiffuser traits. Study 2 conducted an online message experiment (N = 393) and demonstrated that targeting the health maven's self-schema increases the persuasiveness of a message designed to recruit them for a word-of-mouth behavior change campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the effects of numerical evidence and message framing in communicating vaccine efficacy information about infectious diseases, an online experiment presented to U.S. adults different versions of a vaccination promotional message that vary by numerical vaccine efficacy evidence: (low efficacy rate: 60% vs. high efficacy rate: 95%), outcome framing (preventing disease-related infection vs. preventing disease-related severe illness), and gain vs. loss framing, using a factorial between-subjects design. While there was no significant interaction between numerical vaccine efficacy evidence and message framing, findings showed that a higher vaccine efficacy rate increased positive beliefs about vaccination and outcome framing emphasizing infection prevention increased message processing fluency. Given that infectious diseases pose higher risks for severe illness among older adults, follow-up analyses by age showed that only younger adults were sensitive to message framing where outcome framing emphasizing infection prevention increased processing fluency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated the effectiveness of factual and narrative messages in promoting advocacy intentions among viewers of COVID-19 vaccination messaging. In an online posttest only experiment on Qualtrics online software, participants (N = 323) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions related to type of messaging (i.e. factual, narrative, both, control). The final model revealed that both types of messages work in generating advocacy but through two distinct influential pathways. Moreover, a message containing both facts and a narrative proved to be more effective than a message containing only a narrative or only facts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the attitudes of healthcare workers towards COVID‐19 vaccines. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted between October and November 2021, with a total of 30 nurses from different contexts in Northern Italy. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results: Three main themes were identified: 'favourable', 'unsure' and 'contrary to' COVID‐19 vaccines. The favourable position was underpinned by trust in science, research and vaccination; protection for themselves, their families, patients and the population; duty as professionals; necessity to set an example for others. Participants who were unsure had doubts about the composition, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and were sometimes afraid that media provided incomplete information. The main reason why nurses were against was the feeling that being forced to vaccinate perceived as blackmail. Favourable or unsure nurses struggled to deal with those who were against and developed a series of emotions that ranged from respect and attempt to rationalize, to frustration and defeat. Conclusions: Identifying the areas of hesitation is essential to understand what affects the choices of acceptance, delay or refusal of vaccination. The issues that emerged regarding proper communication within the vaccination campaign highlights the key importance of adequate vaccination strategies. Implication for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Understanding attitudes towards vaccine and related motivations among healthcare workers could help develop more specific and targeted vaccination campaigns that can ensure proper vaccination coverage rates and avoid hesitancy or refusal. Impact: Healthcare workers experiences of COVID‐19 vaccines, their views and know how they feel during COVID‐19 vaccinations.Healthcare workers had three different positions in COVID‐19 vaccination.This research will guide and target future vaccination campaigns. Reporting Method: The study is reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and COVID-19 are contagious diseases for which effective vaccines exist. Dental care professionals' involvement in vaccination campaigns for these conditions has been proposed, but there is a lack of understanding of dentists' roles in vaccination, specifically assessing patients' attitudes around dentists as vaccinators for HPV and COVID-19. Using a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling, a 12-item validated survey was distributed to community members to determine perceptions about dentists' roles in vaccination for HPV and COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, vaccination status, knowledge of the diseases, vaccination intentions, and willingness to receive education about, recommendations for, and administration of vaccine from a dentist were assessed. Responses were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Of 618 participants, most were vaccinated previously against HPV and COVID-19 (n = 462 [75.6%] and n = 371 [61.0%], respectively). Participants responded more favorably to dentist involvement in educating, discussing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines than HPV vaccines (P <.05). Participants' knowledge of HPV was found to be low compared with that of COVID-19. There were significant differences across demographic groups, with race most frequently associated with differences in responses to COVID-19 and HPV-related questions. Formative data to develop interventions to support dentists' participation in vaccination campaigns are provided. Participants' acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination over HPV vaccination may reflect the public awareness of COVID-19 vs HPV due to daily relevance of this disease, or the lack of knowledge about HPV, particularly its oropharyngeal impacts. The authors provide evidence to support dentists' involvement in vaccine education and distribution, expanding previous literature into evaluation of a new disease context (COVID-19). Lack of knowledge of HPV may affect willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, presenting an opportunity for education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with Eastern Europe experiencing notable excess morbidity and mortality and vaccine hesitancy. This study utilized the Behavior Integration (BI) framework to identify barriers and motivators for COVID-19 vaccination and develop strategies to increase vaccine demand and confidence in Moldova, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. The BI framework was used to integrate human behaviors with technical and operational considerations throughout the project. Results. A total of 2742 online surveys were collected in Moldova and Serbia, revealing significant barriers such as vaccine safety concerns (OR = 1.839, 95% CI: 1.328–2.547 in urban Moldova; OR = 1.990, 95% CI: 1.351–2.931 in urban Serbia), logistical challenges, and lack of institutional trust. Conversely, motivators included personal health concerns, recommendations from health care providers, and the desire to travel. The proposed social and behavior change strategy included a continuing medical education course that trained 2403 medical providers, with post-test results showing a 99% improvement in knowledge and confidence in applying the information, and collective engagement workshops for 3260 chronic disease patients and 842 pregnant women, of which 7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusions. The BI approach effectively identified and addressed vaccination barriers and motivators, leading to tailored strategies that increased vaccine uptake. Continuous stakeholder engagement, adaptive learning processes, and local organizations are crucial for refining program implementation, ensuring sustainability, and promoting public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventing COVID-19 in Gaza is crucial due to the devastation of advanced health services infrastructure by war. Despite the high protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines against severe disease, a 2021 survey in Gaza found only half of the population was vaccinated, and one-third was vaccine-hesitant. This follow-up study conducted in March 2023 aimed to re-evaluate vaccination levels, hesitancy, exposure to vaccine promotion efforts, and other risk factors in Gaza. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey with multistage stratified sampling was used. Associations of primary exposures and other determinants with vaccine status and hesitancy were quantified using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results: In 2023, 63.5% of adults received at least one vaccine dose compared to 49.1% in 2021 (p < 0.001). Vaccine hesitancy prevalence was 31.7% in 2023 versus 34.1% in 2021 (p = 0.395). Adjusted odds of vaccination were 4.2 times higher among those referred by health workers compared to those not referred. Adjusted odds of vaccine hesitancy among those who received information on the vaccine from health workers were 0.3 times that of people who did not receive information. Conclusions: Results suggest health workers could play a crucial role in future vaccination strategies, as their vaccine promotion efforts were linked to better vaccine outcomes. Investing in the skills development of community health workers to contribute to these efforts is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether COVID-19 vaccination is monotonically associated with political and religious orientations. Conspiracy theories among politically conservative groups and Evangelical Protestants have drawn considerable attention to COVID-19 vaccination. Previous research indicates that political and religious orientations can have either positive or negative effects on vaccination. We employ non-linear regression with data on Republican turnout and Protestantism in over 2,000 US counties. Our findings reveal that the relationships between COVID-19 vaccination and Republican and Evangelical Protestant inclinations follow an inverted-U shape. Furthermore, Protestant inclination has a less negative impact on COVID-19 vaccination when infection rates are high. For vaccination promotion, targeting segmented groups is preferable to solely targeting based on political and religious affiliations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: From a public health perspective, vaccination programmes significantly add to long-term, safe co-existence. However, because there is no social consensus about their benefits and risks, the promotion of vaccinations is difficult. Based on Kim and Grunig's situational theory of problem solving (STOPS), including communicative action in problem solving (CAPS), this paper both proposes a model for identifying the involvement of mothers of young children in communication regarding vaccination and advocates for a novel approach to STOPS and CAPS data analyses. Design/methodology/approach: The methodological design develops empirical analyses of the data yielded by the STOPS model. Two approaches to determining associations between situational-motivational variables and communicative-action variables in random-sample survey data obtained in Slovenia in 2016 (N = 1704) are implemented – i.e. visual methods and multivariate agglomerative clustering algorithm. Findings: The STOPS model has been confirmed and both data-analyses approaches have shown potential by clearly demonstrating associations and patterns in the data. Based on these findings, we conclude that they have the potential to be the norm in analysing STOPS models. Research limitations/implications: Limitations of the study, which are still to be overcome, involve drawing on one sample in one country and testing only one set of indicators. Practical implications: From an academic point of view, confirmation of both the model and the analytical power of the pragmatic data-analyses methods significantly add to communication studies. From practical and social points of view, relationships among attitudes and communication behaviour, as outlined in the exposed segments of the public, enable the improvement of every step in strategic-communication planning and implementation. Originality/value: This paper fulfils an identified need to establish a theoretical framework and methodology of segmentation in vaccination-communication studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection significantly contributes to the global cancer burden. Understanding the factors influencing male clinical interns' willingness to promote HPV vaccination is crucial for developing effective public health strategies in China. Methods: This study employed a stratified random sampling method to select 1,980 male clinical interns from five provinces in China between January and March 2024. Data were collected on participants' demographic characteristics, HPV-related clinical experience, and knowledge. The Theory of Planned Behavior framework, encompassing attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, was used to examine factors influencing the willingness to promote the HPV vaccine. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the willingness to promote the HPV vaccine. Results: Among the respondents, 72.29% were willing to encourage others to receive the HPV vaccine. Significant factors influencing this willingness included older age (OR = 3.065, P ≤ 0.001), higher monthly household income (OR = 1.449, P = 0.025), participation in the diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related diseases (OR = 3.458, P ≤ 0.001), positive attitude towards the vaccine (OR = 13.503, P = 0.004), and strong perceived behavioral control (OR = 2.364, P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of practical experience and targeted education in promoting HPV vaccination among male clinical interns in China. Enhancing the training and education of this group is essential for improving HPV vaccine advocacy and supporting public health efforts to reduce HPV-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing for the new school year is an exciting and busy time. An important task for parents and caregivers during the back-to-school season is to ensure that their child or adolescent is up to date with their vaccines. NPs play a vital role in guiding parents and caregivers through the vaccination process, thereby ensuring that school-aged children and adolescents' health requirements are met. This article provides NPs with resources to assist in making decisions about child and adolescent immunizations. It also explores effective communication strategies to convey the benefits of vaccination to parents and caregivers, equipping NPs with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate vaccination complexities and advocate for the health and safety of school-aged children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the expansion in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination recommendations, vaccine uptake and completion remain low among Black individuals. An 8‐week Facebook intervention (#HPVvaxtalks) was developed to increase knowledge and awareness of HPV risk factors, risk perceptions, and vaccination intention and uptake. This article details the formative phase of experts' feedback and participants' satisfaction on the components of the #HPVvaxtalks for content useability, acceptability, relevance, and visual appeal to inform further refinements. Method: A convenience sample of 5 experts and 13 young Black adults were invited to provide feedback on #HPVvaxtalks intervention content. The experts reviewed and provided feedback via a survey and open‐ended questions. After incorporating suggestions from experts' feedback, 13 participants viewed #HPVvaxtalks posts, took part in a virtual focus group, and completed a survey. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed and integrated with survey results. Results: Experts and participants mean age were 41.9 ± 2.3 and 21.2 ± 1.9 years, respectively. Experts and participants reported positive ratings for intervention posts, including useability, acceptability, relevance, and visual appeal. Data provided areas for improvements of #HPVvaxtalks. Conclusion: Experts indicated strong content validity and participants showed satisfaction with #HPVvaxtalks content. Ensuring acceptability, relevance, and appeal of the intervention for the target population is an integral part of intervention development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Varicella infections follow a benign course in around 90% of cases, with more severe forms occurring in adults. To identify potential pockets of susceptibility and to improve targeted immunization strategies, this study aims to critically assess immunological status by evaluating varicella seroprevalence among adults (18–99 years) in the province of Florence (Italy), nearly a decade after Tuscany introduced the vaccination program. Methods: A convenience sample of 430 subjects aged 18 to 94 years (mean age 51.8 ± 18.8 years), stratified by age and sex (53.7% of subjects were female; N = 231), was collected between 2018 and 2019. Sero-analytical analyses were conducted utilizing EUROIMMUN Anti-VZV ELISA (IgG) kits. Results: Most of them were of Italian nationality (87.4%; N = 376). Among the 430 tested samples, 385 (89.5%) were positive and 39 (9.1%) were negative. The remaining six sera (1.4%), confirmed as equivocal, were excluded from further analysis. No significant differences were found based on sex (p-value = 0.706) or nationality (p-value = 0.112). The application of trend tests (Mantel–Haenszel; Kendall Tau-b) showed a significant trend (p < 0.024 and p < 0.032, respectively), with an increasing probability of finding a positive anti-varicella serological status passing from a lower age group (84.2%) to a higher one (93.0%). By considering the female population aged 18–49 years, the seroprevalence of anti-varicella antibodies was found to be 88.4%, with a susceptibility of 11.6%, highlighting the risk of acquiring infection during pregnancy. Conclusions: The introduction of varicella vaccination has had a significant impact on public health in Tuscany and in Italy more generally. However, further efforts should be made to reduce the number of individuals still susceptible in adulthood, with particular attention given to women of childbearing age and the promotion of vaccination through mass and social media and institutional websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to tailor and pilot a health education program using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to promote vaccination and enhance self-protective behaviors against COVID-19 in Hong Kong populations. Study design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Phases 1–4 of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model were used to identify the needs for COVID-19 prevention. Strategies to address predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors in the PRECEDE-PROCEED model were developed, and an intervention package was generated thereafter. A pre–post experimental study was conducted among 50 participants to preliminarily assess the effects of the intervention based on Phases 5 and 8 of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. Results: The 3-month intervention package contained 16 health education videos, 36 health tips, individual consultations, regular reminders of vaccination, incentive of anti-epidemic packages, and vaccine booking services. By the third month, 33 participants took a new dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 5 participants withdrew. The vaccination rate for new dose achieved 73.3% (95% CI: 58.06–85.40%). Compared with the Hong Kong population in the same period, our study demonstrated higher increase in vaccination rate (9.97 vs. 1.36 doses per 1000 person-days). The percentage of early testing in personal and family level increased to 86.7% and 84.4%, respectively (both p < 0.05). For correct mask wearing and hand washing, the scores increased from a baseline score of 9.1 ± 1.6 and 4.9 ± 1.3 to 9.5 ± 1.0 and 5.3 ± 1.2, respectively (both p < 0.05). Conclusions: The application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model effectively facilitated the stepwise development, implementation, and evaluation of a health education program for improving vaccination rates and fostering self-protective behaviors against infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative research approach that engages academic researchers and community stakeholders as equal partners in all research steps to address community concerns and achieve health equity. The CBPR approach has been widely used in vaccination promotion programmes. However, the elements and steps of CBPR-based programmes varied among studies. The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize the elements and steps, and establish an implementation framework to guide the utilisation of CBPR approaches in vaccination promotion. Methods This scoping review was performed in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. A systematic search was conducted on a set of electronic databases and grey literature sources. The retrieved articles were screened according to the criteria of CBPR and vaccination promotion, and data were extracted and recorded on a calibrated and predefined form in terms of study characteristics and CBPR components. Two authors worked independently to complete literature search, study selection, and data extraction. A narrative summary was used in categorising characteristics, and the contents of the included studies were summarised through qualitative analysis. Results A total of 8557 publications were initially screened, and 23 articles were finally included. According to the CBPR conceptual model, the elements in each CBPR component specifically for vaccination promotion included (1) the establishment of community–academic partnership (CAP)s, (2) community capacity building by partner training vaccination knowledge, research literacy, and service abilities and skills, (3) development and implementation of community-based intervention and (4) Outcome evaluation. A CAP was established between academic researchers or institutes and eight types of partners, including community service organisation–related non-government organisations (NGOs), health service institution–related NGOs, religious organisations, government agencies, educational institutions, media agencies, business agencies, and community representatives. The maintenance of CAP was achieved with four key strategies, namely, strengthening communication, forming management groups, sharing resources and information, and providing incentives. Twelve studies provided comprehensive insights into the strategies employed for intervention development, utilising either quantitative surveys, qualitative methods or a combination of both approaches. The contents of interventions included health service supports, health education activities, social marketing campaigns, community mobilisation, interactive discussions, vaccination reminders and incentives. As for outcome evaluation, vaccination rate and the effectiveness of interventions were assessed. A considerable increase was observed in 95.7% of the included studies (22/23), and the highest increase (92.9%) was attained after the intervention. An implementation framework was generated to summarise the elements and steps of CBPR approaches for vaccination promotion. Conclusions This review summarised current evidence and generated an implementation framework to elucidate the elements and steps in the development and application of CBPR approaches in vaccination promotion. CBPR approaches are recommended for future vaccination promotion programmes, involving community stakeholders and research professionals, to ensure equitable access to vaccinations across diverse populations.

Pertussis vaccination is recommended during pregnancy to protect the baby. Pertussis vaccination was initially free to pregnant people through general practice and hospitals in New Zealand, but uptake was suboptimal. In one district funding of maternal pertussis vaccination was widened to community pharmacies in 2016. Eighteen months later promotion to pharmacies, midwives and pregnant people took place. In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 lockdowns occurred. Aim. To explore the effects of promotion and COVID-19 lockdowns on uptake of funded maternal pertussis vaccination in pharmacy, and awareness, use and opinions of promotional elements. Methods. Five years of pharmacy claims data were analysed and 12 pharmacists, 18 people eligible/recently eligible for maternal pertussis vaccination and 11 midwives were interviewed. Results. Provision of maternal pertussis vaccination increased during and after promotion. Qualitative data showed that pharmacists valued phone calls with information about maternal pertussis vaccination and recommendations for increasing uptake. Prompted by these calls, some pharmacists contacted midwives to inform them of funded maternal pertussis vaccination in the pharmacy (which midwives appreciated) and recommended pertussis vaccination to pregnant clients. Pharmacy staff reportedly were motivated to recommend this vaccination by being informed about it and having posters displayed in the pharmacy. Pregnant people valued healthcare professionals' conversations about maternal pertussis vaccination, but appeared to be uninfluenced by posters and promotional social media posts about this vaccination. During COVID-19, maternal pertussis uptake in pharmacies increased 31% March to May 2020 (before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown) versus the same time the previous year, then declined. Conclusion. Promotion appeared to have a sustained effect on uptake of maternal pertussis vaccination in pharmacies. Pregnant people were most influenced by discussions with healthcare professionals. Pharmacists and pharmacy staff increased proactivity with maternal vaccinations after promotion to them. Promotion may need to be repeated over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global health crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of swift vaccine development and distribution to curb virus transmission. However, discussions on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy have predominantly focused on pre-vaccination attitudes, often overlooking the significance of post-vaccination experiences in shaping individual and communal attitudes toward vaccines. This oversight is particularly critical among healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who play a dual role in combating the pandemic and influencing public vaccine sentiment. Using the theory of planned behavior, this study explores the post-vaccination experiences of healthcare workers in Sierra Leone and assesses how these experiences influence their attitudes toward vaccine safety, efficacy and their advocacy for vaccine uptake within their communities. Employing a qualitative design, the study interviewed 24 healthcare workers, 21 of whom were vaccinated against COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews, conducted in English or Krio, were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes. Three themes were identified: positive vaccination experiences exceeding initial expectations, strong belief in the vaccine's protective benefits and active roles in vaccine advocacy. Despite initial hesitations due to concerns over potential adverse effects, participants reported no significant issues post-vaccination, fostering trust in vaccine safety and effectiveness. Healthcare workers' positive post-vaccination experiences significantly bolster their vaccine advocacy, influencing their recommendations to patients, friends, families, colleagues and community members. This study highlights the importance of understanding and leveraging healthcare workers' experiences to enhance public trust and vaccine uptake, crucial for pandemic response efforts in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After four years into the pandemic, we know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective, and it is crucial to increase public compliance with getting the COVID-19 vaccines. The current study examines the interplay of credibility perceptions, perceived benefits, and two different types of vaccine promotion messages: individual versus collective. Data was collected using an online randomized experiment. Findings demonstrated that individual versus collective frames did not influence everyone similarly. The results show a significantly moderated mediation model, such that the association between message frame and vaccine intention was mediated by the credibility of the message, and the relationship between message frame and perceived credibility was moderated by perceived benefits of the vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community pharmacists have become flu vaccine immunisers in several countries to increase vaccine uptake. Aim: This study aimed to perform a scoping review to evaluate the pharmacist's role and contribution to flu immunisation coverage, satisfaction and promotion as vaccine providers. Design: The framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) were considered for this analysis. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) were used to search for relevant peer‐reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed‐method studies published between 1990 and 2022. Results: A total of 37 studies were included. These studies suggested that, over time, there was an increase in the rate of vaccine administration within community pharmacies across the various countries examined. Moreover, patients have consistently expressed their satisfaction with the convenience and accessibility of pharmacy‐based vaccine services, with some expressing a preference for pharmacies over traditional visits to their general practitioner′s office. Conclusion: Several initiatives aimed at promoting flu vaccination have been rolled out in pharmacy settings, and a number of these initiatives have demonstrated positive outcomes. The flu vaccination service provided by pharmacists has proven to be an asset in public health by improving accessibility to immunisation services. Pharmacists should continue to take part in yearly flu vaccination programs as flu vaccine providers as they contribute to an increased uptake of immunisations by the population. Extending these services to other vaccines should be further considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health campaigns addressing COVID-19 vaccination beliefs may be effective in changing COVID-19 vaccination behaviors, particularly among people who remain vaccine hesitant. The "We Can Do This" COVID-19 public education campaign (the Campaign) was designed to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake. This study aims to evaluate whether Campaign dose was associated with changes in vaccination beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccine concerns and perceived risks, the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, the perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, normative beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination, and perceptions about general vaccine safety and effectiveness. The study linked data from four waves of a nationally representative longitudinal panel of U.S. adults (January 2021–March 2022) with Campaign paid digital media data (April 2021–May 2022). We used mixed-effects linear regressions to examine the association between Campaign paid digital impressions and changes in vaccination beliefs. The results provide evidence that Campaign digital impressions were significantly associated with changes in respondent beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccine concerns and perceived risks, perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, and perceptions about general vaccine safety and effectiveness. Findings suggest that public education campaigns may influence vaccine confidence and uptake by increasing positive vaccination beliefs and reducing vaccine concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza vaccination is the main method of preventing influenza. Vaccination is recommended for certain individuals with diseases that could cause complications in the case of flu infection. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to examine influenza vaccination coverage in patients with risk factors, to describe the characteristics of those vaccinated and to study the influence of COVID-19. The study population was children under 14 years old with risk factors between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in Central Catalonia, sourced through the electronic database of the Catalan Institute of Health. The association of influenza vaccination data with sociodemographic data and risk factors was performed by bivariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 13,137 children were studied. Of those, 4623 had received the influenza vaccine in at least one season. The average influenza vaccination rate was 28.8%. The statistically significant factors associated with vaccination were age and having certain risk factors: asthma, diabetes, haemoglobinopathies and clotting disorders. In all seasons, the immigrant population was vaccinated more than the native population p < 0.05, except for the COVID-19 season (2020/21), where no differences were observed. Of those vaccinated, 7.1% had been vaccinated for 5 consecutive years. Influenza vaccination coverage in the paediatric age group was low. Vaccination promotion measures must be implemented. COVID-19 meant an increase in vaccination of the native population to the same level as that of the immigrant population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of widespread vaccination to mitigate the impact of the virus on public health. The current study aimed to investigate which social influences might be most important for predicting attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine uptake among young students in the UK. We focused on the cultural evolution and social transmission aspects, i.e., parent-to-child versus peer-to-peer, of attitudes and vaccine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 192 UK students (aged 18 to 35 years old) filled in an online survey including measures for attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine uptake and/or intention, age, and gender. Participants were also asked about their mother's, father's, and best friend's attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine uptake. Finally, they provided a subjective measure of the quality relationship with their parents. Overall, our results suggest that both parents and very close friends are important agents in understanding the students' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine uptake. More specifically, our findings suggest the mother's vaccine uptake as the most salient predictor of students' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine uptake, particularly when the students report having a positive relationship with their parents. In cases where students' experience negative relationship with their parents, the best friend's vaccine uptake may supersede the mother's influence. Despite these nuances, a general trend emerges from our data suggesting that vaccine uptake could be primarily guided by vertical transmission (i.e., parent to child). Our results have the potential to influence public health strategies, communication campaigns, and targeted interventions to enhance vaccination uptake. Identifying key social predictors can enable policymakers and health authorities to tailor vaccination promotion efforts towards mothers' and peers' vaccine uptake to increase overall positive attitudes and vaccine uptake among young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate knowledge about HPV and its vaccine, additionally, to examine the effect of knowledge about HPV and its vaccine on perceived benefits and barriers to HPV vaccination among individuals in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed in the western region of Saudi Arabia through a self-administered web-based survey. The survey assessed knowledge, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers to HPV vaccination. Results: A total of 1149 eligible participants completed the survey. Participants exhibited limited knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, with an average total score of 4.76 out of 15. Over 80% of participants were unaware that HPV may not show symptoms, cannot lead to HIV, and is not treatable with antibiotics. Over half were unaware that HPV can cause cervical cancer, oral cancer, or genital warts. Unmarried and graduate-educated participants demonstrated greater knowledge. Perceived benefits were positively associated with knowledge levels, while perceived barriers were negatively associated with knowledge levels after controlling for other variables. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for education and healthcare efforts to raise knowledge about HPV and its vaccine in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Also, this study indicated that enhanced knowledge boosts positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination, while reducing perceived barriers, thereby increasing vaccination rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world causing serious morbidity and mortality. Health care professionals (HCP) are on the front line in the face of this pandemic and are identified as priorities for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to estimate the acceptability rate of the COVID-19 vaccination among HCP and to identify their predisposing factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including a randomized sample of HCP in Southern Tunisia, on March–April 2021. Results: Among 300 participants, the COVID-19 vaccine acceptability rate was 65.3%. Factors independently associated with vaccine acceptability were age groups <30 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=4.36; p = 0.002)], urbanity of residence (AOR = 3.44; p = 0.027), medical professional category (AOR = 2.69; p = 0.023) and caring for coronavirus infected patients (AOR = 2.32; p = 0.047). Belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to work safely as a health care provider (AOR = 3.26; p = 0.013), should be available for all HCP (AOR = 17.98; p = 0.004) and has been quickly developed before it has been thoroughly vetted and tested for efficacy and safety (AOR = 5.88; p < 0.01) were independently associated with willingness to accept vaccine. Planning to get a COVID-19 vaccine for the next years and recommending it to the family were independent predictive factors of accepting COVID-19 vaccine ((AOR = 6.88; p < 0.001) and (AOR = 25.03; p < 0.001), respectively).Conclusion: The acceptance rate of vaccination against COVID-19 among Tunisian HCP is still low in South Tunisian hospitals. Socio-demographic, cultural and professional factors predisposing to the vaccination willingness were highlighted. Combating the vaccine hesitancy of HCP through enhancing sensibilization campaigns is essential to promote vaccination in general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses the prevalence of protective antibodies against measles among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a university hospital in Milan, Italy, from 2019 to 2023. It highlights the importance of vaccination for HCWs to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable infections. The study found that 83% of HCWs had protective antibodies, with higher rates in older age groups. Seroconversion was observed in 88% of HCWs who received a booster dose of the MMR vaccine. The study emphasizes the significance of antibody testing and vaccination promotion among HCWs to prevent measles infections. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: While vaccines are crucial for disease prevention, disparities in vaccination coverage persist among youths aged 10 to 29 years, including within the United States. Serious games are emerging as a new strategy to address vaccine hesitancy. This systematic review aimed to aggregate and assess the current evidence on game-based interventions to improve youth vaccination rates, evaluating their impact and identifying factors influencing their effectiveness. Methods: This systematic review was conducted through a meticulous search and evaluation of literature from databases including PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database, ProQuest platform, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they (a) were designed with the purpose of improving youth vaccination rates; (b) were published in English; (c) were published between January 2011 and June 2023; and (d) evaluated the effect of game-based interventions. Search terms included Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords of the eligible articles. Results: Out of 269 studies, 11 were included in the final analysis of this review. The earliest study dated back to 2013, with 5 being randomized controlled trial and 6 studies incorporating theoretical models in their design or outcome measures. The findings indicated a generally positive effect of game-based interventions on vaccine-related knowledge. However, the impact on actual vaccine uptake was limited. In-game avatar customization and collaboration games were found as effective tools for player engagement. Conclusion: The review findings indicated that serious games boost vaccine knowledge but lack strong evidence for influencing youth vaccine uptake. More rigorous research and tailored game designs are needed to determine the effectiveness of game-based interventions and effectively address the diverse needs of youth in vaccine decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of vaccination is one of the strategies advocated by the United Nations (UN) in the context of health and well-being. Although vaccine denialism is not exclusive to the far-right, it is necessary to acknowledge that vaccine refusal seems to align remarkably well with conservative purposes. This scenario leads us to the field of research in the Social Studies of Science and to the following question: what are the points of convergence between the anti-vaccine agenda and the far-right agenda? Our hypothesis is that the goals and interests of the far-right align with those of anti-vax movements, as both demand: a) the boycott of international institutions and global policies aimed at sustainable development; b) the promotion of individual rights over collective ones; and c) the delegitimization of authoritative sources represented by traditional media and scientific institutions. As methodological strategies, we employed documentary research through the selection of news articles from newspapers, magazines, and international reports, as well as bibliographic research involving the selection and analysis of existing scientific literature on the subject. The analysis of available data has allowed us to understand that antivaccination practices contribute to achieving other objectives of conservative political agendas, making visible the existence of a synergy between actions against vaccination and those carried out by the far-right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate vaccine promotion messages, examine the heterogeneous effects of these messages and provide experimental evidence to help evaluate the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccine promotion campaigns in Hungary. This study presents the results of three randomised survey experiments that were embedded in cross-sectional, representative, public opinion studies of Hungarian adults based on in-person interviews. Simple randomisation and blinding were applied to assign participants into the control group (no message) or treatment groups (vaccine promotion messages). The first experiment (March 2021) aimed to test vaccination promotion messages from politicians (N = 331) and medical experts (N = 342) by comparing experimental groups' trust in vaccines and conspiratorial beliefs with the control group (N = 327). The second experiment (September 2022) tested the impact of two communication strategies ([1] highlighting the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, N = 104; and [2] highlighting the wide variety of vaccines available, N = 110) on increasing vaccine uptake among those who were still unvaccinated (control group, N = 89). The third experiment (September 2022) tested one message aiming to increase COVID-19 booster uptake among those who received only the first round of vaccination (N = 172; control group, N = 169). The outcome variable in the second and third experiments was intent to get vaccinated. Robust regressions, logit models, Mann–Whitney U-tests and model-based recursive partitioning were run. The inference criteria (p < 0.05) was set in pre-registration of the experiments. All treatment effects were insignificant, but exploratory research found significant conditional treatment effects. Exposure to vaccine promotion by medical professionals was associated with a higher level of trust in Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines in older age cohorts (weighted robust regressions, 50–59 years old, Russian vaccine: +0.769, interaction term [i.t.] p = 0.010; Chinese vaccine: +0.326, i.t. p = 0.044; and ≥60 years old, Russian vaccine +0.183, i.t. p = 0.040; Chinese vaccine +0.559, i.t. p = 0.010) and with a lower level of trust in these vaccines among younger adults (<30 years old, Russian vaccine: −1.236, i.t. p = 0.023; Chinese vaccine: −1.281, i.t. p = 0.022). Receiving a vaccine promotion message from politicians led to a higher level of trust in Chinese vaccines among the oldest respondents (≥60 years: +0.634, i.t. p = 0.035). Short-term persuasion attempts that aimed to convince respondents about COVID-19 vaccination were ineffective. Booster hesitancy, similar to primary vaccine hesitancy, was resistant to vaccine promotion messages. Significant conditional effects suggest that COVID-19 vaccine promotion by medical experts and politicians may have had adverse effects for some demographic groups in Hungary. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess barriers to Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider practices participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program and intentions to offer COVID-19 vaccination to children aged <5 years. We invited a random sample of 15 000 VFC provider practices in the United States to complete an online survey during February 28 to March 11, 2022. Of 2809 practices that completed the survey, 2246 (80.0%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Concerns around staff resources, vaccine and supply storage space, and vaccine wastage from multidose vials were the most frequently reported program-enrollment barriers. Among enrolled practices that have decided whether to offer COVID-19 vaccination to the children aged <5 years, 1641 (88.8% of 1848) reported likely offering it to current patients, and 1165 reported likely offering it to children who are not current patients. Addressing participation barriers and encouraging active promotion may increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of HPV infection and HPV-related cancers are elevated in the Black population of the US. Efforts to promote HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening are important to reducing the cancer burden among Black populations. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study guided by social ecological model (SEM) was to describe from the perspective of key informants, the challenges and opportunities for HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black adults. Twenty-three key informants participated in individual interviews over zoom video conferencing. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and checked for accuracy prior to data analysis. Two qualitatively trained researchers analyzed the data using content analysis. Participants were aged 50 ± 4.1 years, 12 were females, and 18 identified as Black. Participants included health care providers, teachers, church and community leaders. Themes included HPV and cancer literacy, influence of religion, health care provider recommendations, social and cultural influences, accessibility and availability of services, economic constraints, limited community resources, and HPV vaccine mandates. SEM factors contribute to low HPV vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening and these factors need to be addressed. Interventions addressing SEM factors peculiar to Black populations may promote HPV vaccination and cancer screening in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Social determinants of health are drivers of vaccine inequity and lead to higher risks of complications from infectious diseases in under vaccinated communities. In many countries, pharmacists have gained the rights to prescribe and administer vaccines, which contributes to improving vaccination rates. However, little is known on how they define and target vulnerable communities. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe how vulnerable communities are targeted in community pharmacies. Methods: We performed a systematic search of the Embase and MEDLINE database in August 2021 inspired by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols (PRISMA ScR). Articles in English, French or Spanish addressing any vaccine in a community pharmacy context and that target a population defined as vulnerable were screened for inclusion. Results: A total of 1039 articles were identified through the initial search, and 63 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the literature originated from North America (n = 54, 86%) and addressed influenza (n = 29, 46%), pneumococcal (n = 14, 22%), herpes zoster (n = 14, 22%) or human papilloma virus vaccination (n = 14, 22%). Lifecycle vulnerabilities (n = 48, 76%) such as age and pregnancy were most often used to target vulnerable patients followed by clinical factors (n = 18, 29%), socio-economical determinants (n = 16, 25%) and geographical vulnerabilities (n = 7, 11%). The most frequently listed strategy was providing a strong recommendation for vaccination, promotional posters in pharmacy, distributing leaflet/bag stuffers and providing staff training. A total of 24 barriers and 25 facilitators were identified. The main barriers associated to each vulnerable category were associated to effective promotional strategies to overcome them. Conclusion: Pharmacists prioritize lifecycle and clinical vulnerability at the expense of narrowing down the definition of vulnerability. Some vulnerable groups are also under targeted in pharmacies. A wide variety of promotional strategies are available to pharmacies to overcome the specific barriers experienced by various groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces the recipients of the American Society of HealthSystem Pharmacists' (ASHP) Board of Directors Honorary Membership Award for 2024, which includes Max L. Hunt Jr., associate professor emeritus at Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy, and Billy Woodward, former member of the ASHP Board of Directos and the ASHP Foundatoin Board of Directors.

Purpose: The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) sponsored a TikTok contest to improve vaccination rates among young people. This analysis sought to advance understanding of COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among ADPH contestants and TikTok commenters. Approach: This exploratory content analysis characterized sentiment and imagery in the TikTok videos and comments. Videos were coded by two reviewers and engagement metrics were collected for each video. Setting: Publicly available TikTok videos entered into ADPH's contest with the hashtags #getvaccinatedAL and #ADPH between July 16 – August 6, 2021. Participants: ADPH contestants (n = 44) and TikTok comments (n = 502). Method: A content analysis was conducted; videos were coded by two reviewers and engagement metrics was collected for each video (e.g., reason for vaccination, content, type of vaccination received). Video comments were analyzed using VADER, a lexicon and rule-based sentiment analysis tool). Results: Of 44 videos tagged with #getvaccinatedAL and #ADPH, 37 were related to the contest. Of the 37 videos, most cited family/friends and civic duty as their reason to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Videos were shared an average of 9 times and viewed 977 times. 70% of videos had comments, ranging from 0-61 (mean 44). Words used most in positively coded comments included, "beautiful," "smiling face emoji with 3 hearts," "masks," and "good.;" whereas words used most in negatively coded comments included "baby," "me," "chips," and "cold." Conclusion: Understanding COVID-19 vaccine sentiment expressed on social media platforms like TikTok can be a powerful tool and resource for public health messaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONTEXT: Provider-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion interventions have been widely implemented; however, the effectiveness of these approaches is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review assessed the effects and costs of provider-based interventions designed to increase HPV vaccination coverage. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled effect sizes of the interventions. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. STUDY SELECTION: We identified articles on provider-based HPV vaccine promotion interventions published in English between 2007 and 2021. DATA EXTRACTION: Information about the interventions' effects and costs was extracted from the studies. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled intervention effects, including changes in the HPV vaccine initiation rate, HPV vaccine completion rate, and the percentage of patients receiving the next needed dose. RESULTS: We identified 32 studies of provider-based interventions to improve the HPV vaccination rate. The reported intervention strategies included provider training, provider reminders, and provider assessment and feedback. In the meta-analysis, we found significant improvements in the HPV vaccine initiation rate (3.7%) and the percentage of patients receiving the next needed dose (9.4%). LIMITATIONS: Because of the limited number of studies, we were unable to compare the same outcomes between different provider-based approaches. We found the high heterogeneity across studies. The random effects method was applied to adjust for study heterogeneity, the heterogeneity remined high for certain outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Provider-based interventions were effective in improving HPV vaccination rates. Sustainability and continuous implementation are the central factors that contributed to intervention success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Globally, cervical cancer (CC) incidence is higher in rural areas than in urban areas that could be explained by the influence of many factors, including inequity in accessibility of the CC prevention measures. This review aimed to identify and analyze factors associated with a lack of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs in people living in rural areas and to outline strategies to mitigate these factors. Methods: The literature search encompassed two focal domains: cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among populations residing in rural areas, covering publications between January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2021 in the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cyberleninka databases, available in both English and Russian languages. Result: A literature review identified 22 sources on cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in rural and remote areas. These sources revealed similar obstacles to screening and vaccination in both high and low-income countries, such as low awareness and knowledge about CC, screening, and HPV vaccination among rural residents; limited accessibility due to remoteness and dearth of medical facilities and practitioners, associated with a decrease in recommendations from them, and financial constraints, necessitating out-of-pocket expenses. The reviewed sources analyzed strategies to mitigate the outlined challenges. Possible solutions include the introduction of tailored screening and vaccination campaigns designed for residents of rural and remote locations. New screening and vaccination sites have been proposed to overcome geographic barriers. Integrating HPV testing-based CC screening is suggested to counter the lack of healthcare personnel. HPV vaccination is essential for primary cervical cancer prevention, especially in rural and remote areas, as it requires less medical infrastructure. Conclusion: Certain measures can be proposed to improve the uptake of CC screening and HPV vaccination programs among rural residents, which are needed to address the higher prevalence of CC in rural areas. Further investigation into cervical cancer prevention in rural and remote contexts is necessary to ascertain the optimal strategies that promote health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza, a globally significant respiratory illness with pandemic potential, affects around 1 billion individuals annually, leading to increased risk for severe illness and mortality. Despite recommendations from the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and MoH prioritization, influenza vaccination coverage rate among HCWs in Kyrgyzstan remains low, ranging between 16 % and 46 % over the past five years. Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) dynamics of HCWs regarding influenza vaccinations, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for refining national strategies and institutional approaches to enhance vaccination coverage rates in this important risk group. This study employed cross sectional investigations aimed at assessing KAPs among HCWs regarding influenza disease and vaccination. Conducted prior to and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project involved 2400 participants from diverse medical disciplines. EPI Info was utilized to run biostatistical analyses, with descriptive and logistic regression models, to elucidate the dynamics of KAP over time. The findings indicate that HCWs with over 5 years of experience were more likely to get vaccinated or recommend it to patients (p = 0.000). Low confidence in vaccine effectiveness influenced on recommendations of influenza vaccination in pre-pandemic time, where insufficient (95 %CI 0.08–0.6; p = 0.003) or uncertain assurance in vaccine effectiveness (95 %CI 0.007–0.18; p = 0.000) was a barrier for vaccine promotion during the pandemic. The study underscores to consider mandatory influenza vaccination for HCWs which may impact on likelihood of flu vaccination (p = 0.001). Priority groups for influenza vaccination shifted during the COVID-19 period, emphasizing older adults, individuals with existing conditions, and HCWs, compared to the pre-pandemic focus on HCWs, children, and patients with pre-existing conditions. Our investigation provides valuable insights into HCWs KAP concerning influenza vaccination in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing factors influencing vaccine acceptance. The study suggests policy implications, advocating for the revision of national strategies to strengthen capacity building for medical staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding vaccination decision-making processes is vital for guiding vaccine promotion within pandemic contexts and for routine immunization efforts. Vaccine-related attitudes influencing individual decision-making can be affected by broader cultural and normative contexts. We conducted 73 qualitative interviews with adults in China (n = 40) and Germany (n = 33) between December 2020 and April 2021 to understand COVID-19 vaccination intentions and preferences, and we analyzed transcripts using a five-step framework approach. During early analysis, we identified moral considerations in line with the tenets of the Model of Moral Motives (MMM) as a recurrent theme in the data. The MMM guided further analysis steps, particularly with its distinction between motives that are proscriptive (focus on avoiding harm by inhibiting “bad” behavior) and prescriptive (focus on actively seeking positive outcomes). Proscriptive vaccination arguments that compelled vaccination in our data included avoiding negative attention, being a law-abiding citizen, preventing harm to others, and protecting one’s country. Prescriptive motives focused on self-efficacious behavior such as protecting the health of oneself and others via widespread but voluntary vaccination, prioritizing elderly and predisposed individuals for vaccination, and favoring a fair and equitable distribution of vaccines at the global level. In the interviews in China, both lines of arguments emerged, with a general tendency toward more proscriptive reasoning; interviews conducted in Germany tended to reflect more prescriptive motives. We encourage research and vaccine promotion practice to reflect moral considerations when aiming to understand public health preventive behavior and when developing tailored health promotion campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with vaccine mandates, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains a concern among healthcare workers, in part due to their role in promoting vaccination among patients and communities. To examine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, and promotion among healthcare workers, we conducted a mixed-methods analysis of (1) survey responses about COVID-19 vaccination and (2) Twitter messages (i.e., tweets) relevant to COVID-19 vaccination and healthcare. A total of 540 hospital employees completed the survey. Those that completed less than 80% of the survey or did not endorse employment at the hospital were excluded, resulting in a total of 511 valid responses; 93.2% reported receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately 1/3 of vaccinated individuals indicated they posted about receiving the vaccine on social media. Simultaneously, we analyzed a sample of 3845 tweets; 2299 (60%) were relevant to COVID-19 vaccination and 1863 (81%) were coded as authored by an individual. Of tweets authored by an individual, 6% (n = 106) were authored by a healthcare provider/health sciences student. Among relevant tweets, the most frequent code across all sentiment categories was related to the pharmaceutical industry (n = 529 tweets, 28%; n = 33, 31% of tweets authored by healthcare workers). Triangulation of results found themes including vaccine access, trust, and vaccine safety or negative health impacts. Results suggest that promoting the sharing of COVID-19 vaccine personal narratives on social media, combined with interventions targeting specific reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and emphasizing freedom from fear once vaccinated could be effective at reducing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]