Impf-Guides - experiences with a project aimed at increasing vaccination willingness in Munich during the COVID-19...

The project Impf-Guides aimed at motivating citizens in selected districts of Munich to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by providing information and advice, thereby increasing the vaccination rate among the population.

The project began in February and ended in December 2022. A total of 31 medical students from LMU Munich were recruited and trained as Impf-Guides. This training included communication and de-escalation techniques. The students conducted consultations, promoted mobile vaccination campaigns and provided on-site support in city districts with defined social challenges. For quality assurance purposes, accompanying evaluations of the vaccinated individuals and the Impf-Guides were carried out.

As part of the mobile vaccination campaigns, 351 people were vaccinated, 18% of whom took part in the evaluation. The majority received their third or fourth vaccination and were satisfied with the consulting activities provided by the Impf-Guides. Of the 31 Impf-Guides, only eight took part in the evaluation. Few students experienced challenging situations (e.g. language barriers) or conflicts (e.g. vaccine hesitancy) during their consultancy work. The students considered the project useful with regard to their future medical practice.

The project mainly reached people who were already willing to be vaccinated. The aim of the project to significantly increase vaccination willingness was ultimately not achieved. The extent to which the Impf-Guides contributed to the health literacy of the population remains speculative. Regardless of vaccination campaigns, consideration should be given to whether trained students could advise the population on general health, prevention and health promotion issues in the future.