TY - JOUR

T1 - Enhancing Public Health Communication Regarding Vaccine Trials

T2 - Design and Development of the Pan-European VACCELERATE Toolkit

AU - Argyropoulos, Christos D.

AU - Leckler, Janina

AU - Salmanton-García, Jon

AU - Constantinou, Marinos

AU - Alexandrou, Alexandra

AU - Themistocleous, Sophia

AU - Noula, Evgenia

AU - Shiamakkides, George

AU - Nearchou, Andria

AU - Stewart, Fiona A.

AU - Albus, Kerstin

AU - Koniordou, Markela

AU - Kopsidas, Ioannis

AU - Spivak, Orly

AU - Hellemans, Margot

AU - Hendrickx, Greet

AU - Davis, Ruth Joanna

AU - Azzini, Anna Maria

AU - Simon, Paula Valle

AU - Carcas-Sansuan, Antonio Javier

AU - Askling, Helena Hervius

AU - Vene, Sirkka

AU - Prellezo, Jana Baranda

AU - Álvarez-Barco, Elena

AU - Macken, Alan J.

AU - Di Marzo, Romina

AU - Luís, Catarina

AU - Olesen, Ole F.

AU - Frias Iniesta, Jesus A.

AU - Barta, Imre

AU - Tóth, Krisztina

AU - Akova, Murat

AU - Bonten, Marc M.J.

AU - Cohen-Kandli, Miriam

AU - Cox, Rebecca Jane

AU - Součková, Lenka

AU - Husa, Petr

AU - Jancoriene, Ligita

AU - Launay, Odile

AU - Lundgren, Jens

AU - Mallon, Patrick

AU - Armeftis, Charis

AU - Marques, Laura

AU - Naucler, Pontus

AU - Ochando, Jordi

AU - Tacconelli, Evelina

AU - van Damme, Pierre

AU - Zaoutis, Theoklis

AU - Hofstraat, Sanne

AU - Bruijning-Verhagen, Patricia

AU - Zeitlinger, Markus

AU - Cornely, Oliver A.

AU - Pana, Zoi Dorothea

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 JMIR Publications Inc.. All rights reserved.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - campaign

KW - coronavirus

KW - COVID-19

KW - educational material

KW - health communication

KW - health promotion

KW - hesitancy

KW - misinformation

KW - pandemic

KW - patient education

KW - promotional material

KW - public health

KW - SARS-CoV-2

KW - vaccination

KW - vaccine

KW - vaccine trials

KW - volunteer registry

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151831053&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.2196/44491

DO - 10.2196/44491

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36878478

AN - SCOPUS:85151831053

VL - 9

JO - JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

JF - JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

SN - 2369-2960

M1 - e44491

ER -