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Influenza vaccination concerns among older blacks: a randomized controlled trial
Ricardo J Wray1, Trent D Buskirk, Keri Jupka
1Department of Community Health, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. wray@slu.edu
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|March 10, 2009
Summary
Vaccine safety messages (VSM) improved beliefs about influenza vaccination in older Black adults more than standard information. This suggests VSM can increase vaccination rates and reduce disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Health Communication
Background:
- Influenza vaccination rates are low, particularly among minority groups, due to concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
- Barriers include fear of adverse reactions and the misconception that the vaccine causes influenza.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of tailored vaccine safety messages (VSM) on the beliefs and vaccination intentions of Black adults aged 50 and older.
- To compare the effectiveness of VSM against the standard Vaccine Information Statement (VIS).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 108 participants aged 50+.
- Participants were assigned to read either study-developed VSM or the standard VIS.
- Beliefs about influenza vaccine safety, effectiveness, and vaccination intention were measured before and after message exposure.
Main Results:
- Participants exposed to VSM demonstrated significantly greater improvements in understanding how the vaccine works (p=0.0006) and flu transmission (p=0.0034).
- VSM also led to a greater post-exposure disagreement with the belief that the vaccine causes influenza (p=0.0411).
Conclusions:
- Vaccine safety messages (VSM) are more effective than the standard VIS in altering beliefs related to influenza vaccine safety and effectiveness.
- Disseminating VSM to older Black adults has the potential to increase vaccination uptake and reduce existing vaccination disparities.
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