Publication details

Enhancing Public Health Communication Regarding Vaccine Trials: Design and Development of the Pan-European VACCELERATE Toolkit

Title in English Zvýšená komunikace ve veřejném zdravotnictví ohledně vakcinačních studií: Design a vývoj panevropského nástroje VACCELERATE
Authors

ARGYROPOULOS Christos LECKLER Janina SALMANTON-GARCIA Jon CONSTANTINOU Marinos ALEXANDROU Alexandra THEMISTOCLEOUS Sophia NOULA Evgenia SHIAMAKKIDES George NEARCHOU Andria STEWART Fiona A ALBUS Kerstin KONIORDOU Markela KOPSIDAS Ioannis SPIVAK Orly HELLEMANS Margot HENDRICKX Greet DAVIS Ruth Joanna AZZINI Anna Maria SIMON Paula Valle CARCAS-SANSUAN Antonio Javier ASKLING Helena Hervius VENE Sirkka PRELLEZO Jana Baranda ALVAREZ-BARCO Elena MACKEN Alan J ROMINA Di Marzo LUIS Catarina OLESEN Ole F INIESTA Jesus A Frias BARTA Imre TOTH Krisztina AKOVA Murat BONTEN Marc M J COHEN-KANDLI Miriam COX Rebecca Jane SOUČKOVÁ Lenka HUSA Petr JANCORIENE Ligita LAUNAY Odile LUNDGREN Jens MALLON Patrick ARMEFTIS Charis MARQUES Laura NAUCLER Pontus OCHANDO Jordi TACCONELLI Evelina PIERRE van Damme ZAOUTIS Theoklis HOFSTRAAT Sanne BRUIJNING-VERHAGEN Patricia ZEITLINGER Markus CORNELY Oliver A PANA Zoi Dorothea

Year of publication 2023
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Medicine

Citation
Web https://publichealth.jmir.org/2023/1/e44491
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/44491
Keywords vaccine trials; volunteer registry; educational material; promotional material; patient education; health communication; health promotion; public health; COVID-19; coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; vaccine; vaccination; hesitancy
Description Background: The pan-European VACCELERATE network aims to implement the first transnational harmonized and sustainable vaccine trial Volunteer Registry, being a single entry point for potential volunteers of large-scale vaccine trials across Europe. This work exhibits a set of harmonized vaccine trial-related educational and promotional tools for the general public, designed and disseminated by the pan-European VACCELERATE network. Objective: This study primarily aimed to design and develop a standard toolkit to increase positive attitudes and access to trustworthy information for better access and increased recruitment to vaccine trials for the public. More specifically, the produced tools are focused on inclusiveness and equity, and are targeting different population groups, including underserved ones, as potential volunteers for the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry (older individuals, migrants, children, and adolescents). The promotional and educational material is aligned with the main objectives of the Volunteer Registry to increase public literacy and awareness regarding vaccine-related clinical research or trials and trial participation, including informed consent and legal issues, side effects, and frequently asked questions regarding vaccine trial design.Methods: Tools were developed per the aims and principles of the VACCELERATE project, focusing on trial inclusiveness and equity, and are adjusted to local country-wise requirements to improve public health communication. The produced tools are selected based on the cognitive theory, inclusiveness, and equity of differently aged and underrepresented groups, and standardized material from several official trustworthy sources (eg, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access; the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; the European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the World Health Organization). A team of multidisciplinary specialists (infectious diseases, vaccine research, medicine, and education) edited and reviewed the subtitles and scripts of the educational videos, extended brochures, interactive cards, and puzzles. Graphic designers selected the color palette, audio settings, and dubbing for the video story-tales and implemented QR codes.Results: This study presents the first set of harmonized promotional and educational materials and tools (ie, educational cards, educational and promotional videos, extended brochures, flyers, posters, and puzzles) for vaccine clinical research (eg, COVID-19 vaccines). These tools inform the public about possible benefits and disadvantages of trial participation and build confidence among participants about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and the health care system. This material has been translated into several languages and is intended to be freely and easily accessible to facilitate dissemination among VACCELERATE network participant countries and the European and global scientific, industrial, and public community.Conclusions: The produced material could help fill knowledge gaps of health care personnel, providing the appropriate future patient education for vaccine trials, and tackling vaccine hesitancy and parents' concerns for potential participation of children in vaccine trials.

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